Today we’d like to introduce you to Hongyu Li.
Hi Hongyu, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I was born in Beijing, China, where I received a BA in Journalism before moving to Los Angeles for my MFA in filmmaking at the New York Film Academy.
I have worked as a writer-director for award-winning films such as “Waiting For Frank” (2018), “Hank” (2019), and “My Chinese Neighbor” (2021). As an Asian filmmaker whose passion is telling stories about race relations, equality for LGBTQ+ individuals, aging and immigration issues, I wasn’t sure if my work would resonate widely with audiences. So it really strengthened my confidence when Oscar-Qualifying Film Festivals such as Palm Springs International ShortFest, Austin Film Festival, Cleveland International Film Festival and Nashville Film Festival recognized my work. I realized that my stories are all about the complexity of being human and those experiences are universal.
During the pandemic, like for many other indie filmmakers, it was as if someone had pressed the pause button on my career. Finally, after struggling to find directing and production jobs, I started as a development assistant for Starlight Media (known for “Crazy Rich Asians”, “Scary Stories To Tell In The Dark, and “Malignant”). After about a year, I got promoted to In-House Writer and Development Executive, in which role I am responsible for generating ideas, treatments, pitches and scripts, as well as guiding producers and writers in the development of content, in order to curate a growing slate of film and TV projects within Starlight Media’s creative ecosystem.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
There have been some challenges along the way. The biggest one was shifting my mindset from writing/directing to the perspective of an executive. As a writer/director, I mostly ask myself if the story is appealing to me or not, but as an executive, I have to consider more elements, such as talent, budget, IP, merchandising, distribution—it’s a package of deals. Of course, the story is essential, but it’s not the only factor that needs to be considered.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
My short films include “Hank” and “Waiting For Frank,” which have received international recognition, including at Palm Springs International ShortFest, Cleveland International Film Festival, Chicago International LGBTQ+ Film Festival, and more than 30 other festivals. I have developed a range of multicultural projects in both the USA and China.
Most recently, my screenplay for “My Chinese Neighbor” was selected as the 2020 New Reality Screenwriting Program Finalist and also reached Semi-Finalist status at both the 2021 Nashville Film Festival and the prestigious Austin Film Festival Script Competition.
As a development executive, I am overseeing the script stage of a crime thriller titled “Golden Empire.” Chinese megastar Donnie Yen is set to star in and produce the movie, in which he will play a notorious drug kingpin who hits the top of the most wanted list for both the U.S. and Mexican governments. It’s based on a true story and it should make an incredible film.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
My understanding of mentorship might be non-traditional. I believe in finding inspiration and help from a wide range of sources, so for me, a mentor could be a seasoned industry pro, a helpful YouTube clip, informative resources like podcasts and books, or a well-organized film festival. As long as you are willing to ask questions, you’d be surprised at how much generous and helpful feedback you can receive.
In terms of networking, Palm Springs International ShortFest was definitely an important moment in my career. My short film “Hank” was nominated as the Best Student Short Film in 2019. During the 7-day film festival, I went to several panels led by industry pros, got interviewed by local news stations, and most importantly, I encountered hundreds of talented filmmakers from all over the world. Attending round-tables with creative industry professionals really gave me a blueprint for building a career in the industry; a roadmap for reaching my professional goals. This year, I went back to PSISF 2021 as an industry professional to scout talent. Seeing the programmers again felt like a family reunion.
I have also encountered so many mentors through my work at Starlight. Meeting with seasoned and talented filmmakers is like getting a masterclass. It’s not like, “Hi kiddo, from right now I am your mentor,” but I get inspired and empowered by their professionalism, their outlook, and their wealth of real-world experience.
This year I’ve been invited to be the final judge for both the FOLCS International Short Film Competition 2022 and the Fall 2022 WeScreenplay Diverse Voices Lab Jury. It’s a new role for me, but I have seen “Whiplash” and “The Devil Wears Prada” multiple times, so I think that as long as I do the opposite of those main characters, it should be OK! I am excited to share my experience with the upcoming talent and hopefully, it will help them navigate their careers.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.hongyuneoli.com
Image Credits
Headshot of Hongyu “Neo” Li, Photographer: Ed Zabel
