Julia Elihu is an Iranian-American writer/director and sometimes producer whose work spans across the narrative, documentary, and commercial landscape. Drawn to stories that are both deeply personal and universally resonant, she explores the humor, hardship, and the unexpected beauty found in everyday life.

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At age 19, she wrote and directed Yasamin, based on her mother’s story of immigration, which premiered at the AFI Film Festival. In 2022, she associate produced the short documentary Long Line of Ladies, which world premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, won the Grand Jury Prize at SXSW, and was picked up by The New York Times Op-Docs. In 2021, she produced the short documentary Team Meryland, which was acquired by The New Yorker and PBS' POV Shorts.

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Her next directorial piece, In the Garden of Tulips, world premiered at Aspen Shortsfest, where it won the Youth Jury Award. The film also took home the Oscar®-qualifying award for Best Live Action Short at the St. Louis International Film Festival and made its online debut as a Vimeo Staff Pick "Best of the Year".

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Most recently, Julia wrote and directed The Only Normal Girls in LA, a comedy about twenty-something girlhood that is currently making its way through the festival circuit.

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Julia is the founder of OLIV, a production company developing and producing both commercial work and narrative films. Through OLIV, she collaborates directly with brands and creative partners, creating heart-centered and original work.

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When it comes to commercial work, Julia has worked with a range of clients from Amazon to Hims & Hers. Finally, Julia was selected as a finalist for the 2023 Commercial Directors Diversity Program, endorsed by the AICP and the Directors Guild of America (DGA).