Conversations with Aria Li

Today we’d like to introduce you to Aria Li

Hi Aria, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I’ve always had a deep love for art and storytelling, and my journey began when I wrote my first screenplay during a summer program in high school. That experience was transformative—it sparked my passion for filmmaking and set me on the path to pursue this as a career.

I went on to study film at USC School of Cinematic Arts, which allowed me to refine my skills and learn from incredible mentors. After graduating, I joined a design company as an in-house director and creative executive. There, I gained valuable experience in leadership, teamwork, and balancing creativity with practicality. While I appreciated the stability and structure, I eventually realized that my true passion lay in developing my own projects.

Recently, I took a leap of faith and decided to focus full-time on writing and directing. Today, I’m working on a variety of live-action and VR projects that I’m deeply passionate about. It’s been a journey of growth, self-discovery, and risk-taking, and I’m excited to see where it takes me next.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The road has definitely had its challenges, and one of the biggest struggles I’ve faced is self-doubt. As a writer-director, it can be hard to quiet that inner voice questioning whether my work is good enough or if I’m on the right path. Creative careers are inherently uncertain, and it’s easy to compare yourself to others and feel like you’re falling behind.

Self-doubt has shown up in many ways—whether it’s hesitating to take risks, overthinking decisions, or wondering if I’m ready to take on a big project. It’s been a process learning how to trust my own instincts and remind myself that growth comes from trying, even if things don’t turn out perfectly.

Over time, I’ve learned to reframe self-doubt as part of the creative process. I remind myself that those feelings usually mean I’m pushing myself and taking on meaningful challenges. Surrounding myself with supportive collaborators and celebrating small wins have also helped me keep going, even when the doubts creep in.

While self-doubt is something I still navigate, I see it less as a barrier and more as a reminder to keep moving forward and to stay connected to the reasons I create in the first place.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a writer-director specializing in live-action and VR projects. My work is characterized by structurally innovative storytelling, thematically intimate explorations, and a hopeful perspective. My work has been selected into the Cannes Short Film Festival, Cherry Pop Film Festival, Indie Short Fest, aGliff/Prism fest, and the Women X Fest, amongst others.

I currently have three projects in development:

Virginia & Virginia


A VR project inspired by my childhood and my relationship with my birth name, Virginia. It delves into themes of identity and mental health, drawing parallels to the life of my namesake Virginia Woolf. The project has evolved from a personal narrative to a mythological story that metaphorically explores the experience of living with bipolar disorder.

Second Life


A live-action feature about a grandmother’s pilgrimage at the end of her life in China. This project examines intergenerational relationships, the beauty of China’s culture and heritage, and the universal search for meaning in life’s closing chapters.

The Healing Ward

A feature film set in a mental hospital, exploring the profound bonds that form in the unlikeliest of places. The story navigates themes of displacement, connection, and the transformative journey of inner healing.

Screenwriting is one of my biggest strengths. From the very first screenwriting class I took at Harvard Summer School when I was 16, I fell in love with the craft. I tend to have running lists on my phone, laptop, and notebooks filled with ideas for new projects. Developing each idea is like a transformative odyssey. I feel responsible for bringing my ideas to life, because I feel as if each idea has a desire to come into the world that is all their own. My producer for Virginia & Virginia, Diya Correa, recently told me that she believes the complete story already exists within me, and that it’s our job to bring it out. I believe that as well— writing is a process of alchemy, and a dialogue with our innermost and highermost selves.

I look forward to continuing to develop my projects through faithfully writing every day, and to eventually have the privilege of directing those projects as well.

Because of my deep passion for storytelling and portfolio creation, I also offer guidance counseling services to students aspiring to enter film school, whether at the undergraduate, graduate, or transfer level. Working with these students is incredibly fulfilling—it’s not just about helping them craft compelling application films or essays, but also about nurturing their unique voices and encouraging them to discover their creative potential.

Through one-on-one sessions, I guide students in developing thoughtful narratives that reflect their individuality and passion for filmmaking. I love seeing their growth, both as storytellers and as individuals, as they refine their ideas and bring them to life. It’s an inspiring process to witness students transform their visions into tangible works that resonate with admissions committees—and more importantly, with themselves.

What sets my guidance apart is my dual experience as a filmmaker and a mentor. Having navigated the competitive film school admissions process myself and worked professionally in the industry, I understand the nuanced balance between artistic expression and strategic presentation. Helping students gain acceptance into their dream programs isn’t just a professional service—it’s a deeply personal joy to see their hard work and creativity rewarded. If you’re interested in my services, feel free to shoot me an email at virginialig11files@gmail.com.

Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
I view risk-taking as an essential part of growth, both personally and professionally. To me, risks are less about recklessness and more about having the courage to make choices that align with your values and dreams, even if the outcome is uncertain.

One of the biggest risks I’ve taken was leaving my role as an in-house director and creative executive to pursue writing and directing full-time. It was a decision that required a lot of reflection because it meant stepping away from the stability, structure, and routine that a full-time position provided. I also had to leave behind the in-person collaboration and daily interactions I enjoyed, which were a grounding part of my life.

However, I realized that staying in that role was limiting my ability to explore the many ideas and stories I was passionate about. Leaving meant embracing uncertainty, but it also meant giving myself the opportunity to fully focus on my dream of becoming a writer-director. That decision felt like the right step toward living the life I truly want, even if it came with challenges.

For me, taking risks is about balancing preparation with trust—in yourself, your vision, and the process. Every risk carries the possibility of failure, but it also carries the potential for growth and transformation, which makes it worthwhile.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aria_sijia_li/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ariasijiali1689