Julia Lerman
Writing
Biography
Julia Lerman is a Los Angeles–based writer and director. Her and Roja Gashtili's feature film, Rita Mahtoubian Is Not a Terrorist (2015), was selected for Film Independent’s Directing Lab in 2016 and was among five narrative projects chosen for the 2015 Sundance Creative Producing Labs. That same year, they were inaugural fellows in the Tribeca/Chanel Women’s Filmmaker Program with their most recently completed short film, The Last Shift(2015). Rita Mahtoubian Is Not a Terrorist also earned a 2015 nomination for the Student Visionary Award at the Tribeca Film Festival. Earlier in their career, Julia and Roja were fellows in AFI’s Directing Workshop for Women (2014), recipients of the Tribeca All Access grant (2013), and participants in IFP’s Emerging Narrative Labs (2010). Julia began her career in New York City, contributing to acclaimed television programs such as MTV’s True Life and Showtime’s This American Life. She is a graduate of Wesleyan University. Lerman served as executive story editor on Wonder Man (2026).
Known For
Simon and Trevor, two actors at opposite ends of their careers, chase life-changing roles.
Wonder Man
With better luck, better choices, better posture... Josh Corman could’ve been a rock star. Now he teaches fifth grade, and though he loves his students, he still struggles to find happiness and meaning in a world that sometimes feels short on both.
Mr. Corman
When Iranian-born Rita Mahtoubian sets out to change her life from ordinary to extraordinary, she accidentally captures the attention of a homeland security agent in this satirical comedy about romance, terrorism and trying to be a better person.
Rita Mahtoubian is Not a Terrorist
Pinky is the latest film from Refinery29’s award-winning Shatterbox Anthology, a short film series dedicated to spotlighting the voices of female filmmakers. Written and directed by Roja Gashtili and Julia Lerman, the coming of age short inspired by true events highlights the power dynamics at play between girls on the verge of womanhood, and the pivotal experiences that define them.