Ruah Edelstein

Lithuanian-American artist and auteur animation filmmaker working across conceptual film, painting, and installation, often developed in focused series. Internationally recognized for Died 100 Times and subsequent works presented at Sundance, the Directors Guild of America, museums and cultural institutions. Co-founder of Lumen Animae Studios; film Ashe ’68 received an Emmy-nomination in 2019. Faculty in Character Animation at CalArts since 2012. This site presents Ruah Edelstein’s films, visual work, and studio projects, including works developed in close creative 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 bodies of conceptual work in focused series, each exploring a distinct subject. In 2012, together with filmmaker Masha Vasilkovsky ז״ל, Ruah co-founded Lumen Animae Studios in Los Angeles.
Over the years, more than fifty films were directed and produced through this work, alongside exhibitions and collaborative projects presented across festivals, museums, and other cultural institutions. Extending this work into educational contexts, Ruah has been invited to lecture at the 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 Ruah Edelstein’s practice, continuing work across film, visual art, and collaboration.

VIEW

Ruah's youtube channel
RuahEdelstein_art
Join Ruah's mailing list for the latest news and new releases!
© 2026 Ruah Edelstein. All rights reserved.