Ruah Edelstein

Lithuanian-American artist and auteur animation filmmaker based in Los Angeles, working across conceptual film, painting, and installation, developed in focused series. Works presented at Sundance, the Directors Guild of America, and international cultural institutions. Co-founder of Lumen Animae Studios (Ashe ’68, Emmy-nominated, 2019). Faculty in Character Animation at CalArts since 2012. This site presents films, visual work, and studio projects, including works developed in close partnership with artist Masha Vasilkovsky ז״ל
Gallery
FILMS
RE : Studio LA
Mentorship & Artist Development
Holocaust Survivor STORIES לתמיד

CURRENTLY IN PRODUCTION

"COMING OF AGE"

An animated film based on the Holocaust survival story of David Wiener

  • A production of the L’Tamid (לתמיד) Project — a series of animated films developed in continuation of a model originated by The Righteous Conversations Project (RCP), bringing Holocaust survivor testimony into collaboration with artists, students, and educators.
  • COMING OF AGE is an animated film based on the Holocaust survival testimony of David Wiener. Currently in production, the half-feature film is directed by Ruah Edelstein and Masha Vasilkovsky (Lumen Animae Studios, Los Angeles). The animation is developed in collaboration with advanced animation students at the College of the Canyons, using direct sand animation.
  • An interview with Holocaust survivor David Wiener of Łódź, Poland, was arranged with Masha Vasilkovsky’s Advanced Animation class in the Media Entertainment Arts program at the College of the Canyons. Students storyboarded and animated selected scenes, with additional sequences developed at Lumen Animae Studios.
  • Holocaust survivor David Wiener during the interview for COMING OF AGE film
  • Holocaust survivor David Wiener during the interview for COMING OF AGE film
  • David Wiener during a live interview — studio monitors

Ruah Edelstein artist

Working across animation, painting, and installation, Ruah develops conceptual work in focused series, each exploring a distinct subject. In 2012, together with filmmaker Masha Vasilkovsky ז״ל, Lumen Animae Studios was founded in Los Angeles.
Over fifty films and interdisciplinary projects were directed and produced through this work, alongside exhibitions presented across festivals, museums, and cultural institutions. Extending this work into educational contexts, Ruah has been invited to lecture internationally, including Film University of Babelsberg (Berlin), Seoul Institute of the Arts, SIA Educational Consulting (Beijing), and UCLA School of Theater, Film & Television.
RE : Studio LA is the current working form of the practice, continuing work across film, visual art, and collaboration.

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