Daily Inspiration: Meet Desmond Loh

Today we’d like to introduce you to Desmond Loh.

Hi Desmond, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Yeah! I was born and raised in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia — my dad works in a motorcycle manufacturing company, and my mom was an accountant, so film wasn’t really on the radar. I actually started off studying psychology at Sunway University, but during lockdown, I randomly took a film production class for fun and for GE purposes. Somehow I got appointed director on a group project (because no one else wanted to do it), and even though the film was a disaster that I cringed myself everytime I think about it, it sparked something in me. Don’t get me wrong, that film is still never going to see the light of day.

I started helping out on other student shoots, and eventually PA’d on a senior thesis film, but it was also where I helped secure a restaurant location through one of my best friends’ families. It helped with the seniors’ budget tremendously. The director casually said, “Hey, you know what you did to help us, that’s producing, you know that, right?” — and that comment stuck with me. The director, Patrick Ng, probably doesn’t remember any of that though lol.

Then, I made a rough decision to transfer to CSUN as my original plan was to pursue filmmaking back in Malaysia with my then-classmates. I’d say it was a leap of faith. I transferred there, applied for the program, miraculously got accepted, then chose producing as my emphasis. I started throwing myself into as many projects as I could. Since then, I’ve produced several short films — some currently in festivals — and recently graduated. I now work for a vertical short company called ReelShort while continuing to build my portfolio and work. Grateful for all the experiences!

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?
Definitely not a smooth road, haha. As an international student, there were a lot of extra hurdles — from constantly worrying about visas and work authorization to figuring out how to pay tuition while staying legally employed. It gets stressful both financially and mentally, and not many people understand that.

Also, being far from home, I’ve had to figure everything out on my own — housing, healthcare, jobs — while also trying to build a creative career in a super competitive industry. There were times when I felt taken advantage of because I didn’t have many options due to my visa status. And on top of that, I’m introverted, so putting myself out there — whether it’s producing, networking, or creating content — has been a real learning curve.
But I’ve learned to adapt and keep moving. Every challenge kind of forced me to grow a little faster, and I think that’s helped me develop a clearer sense of what I want to build. I’m also really grateful for all the friends and mentors I’ve met along the ride — they made the road of suffering a little more bearable.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Right now, I work as a coordinator at ReelShort, and outside of that, I’m slowly building a portfolio of personal projects as a content creator and filmmaker. I specialize in producing short films and skits — usually leaning into “cringe comedy,” which sounds weird to some people, but I love it! I think there’s something special in embracing awkwardness and turning it into something funny and relatable.

I’m most proud of the short films I’ve produced with diverse teams — projects like Glodok 98, which is currently in its festival run, Your Promise, which has won several awards, and Are We Still Friends?, which is in post-production now. I’m also working on a new project called Something Good Going On, which is currently in development, and I’m really excited about its potential. I always make sure I learn something new from every production I’ve been on — whether it’s about managing people, solving on-set challenges, or just figuring out how to stretch a budget without compromising the story.

What sets me apart is probably my perspective. Coming from Malaysia with no film background, I had to figure out everything from scratch — I never had industry connections, and I wasn’t “born into” this path. But I think that gives me a different kind of resourcefulness and grit. I also genuinely love building community on set — keeping things light, focused, and collaborative. And lately, I’ve been exploring ways to combine producing with my personal voice as a creator and performer, especially through short-form skits.

Oh — and fun fact, I recently did voiceover work for the upcoming Marvel film Thunderbolts! It was such a cool experience and definitely pushed me out of my comfort zone in the best way.

Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
I definitely see myself as someone who takes risks — not because I’m naturally brave, but because I usually feel like I have no other option if I want to grow. One of the biggest risks I’ve taken was leaving my psychology degree in Malaysia and transferring to the U.S. to pursue film. I had no family connections in the industry, no clear roadmap, and honestly, no idea how hard it would be. But something in me just couldn’t let go of that feeling that I was meant to try, to at least give it a shot and see where it could lead.

Since then, every project I take on, especially as an international student trying to build a film career here, feels like a series of small but meaningful risks. Whether it’s choosing to put myself on camera, experimenting with cringe comedy, or just emailing someone way more experienced than me for advice — it all involves a bit of discomfort, but I’ve never regretted pushing past it.

To me, risk isn’t about being reckless — it’s about trusting that the uncomfortable things are often the most worthwhile. I think if you wait until everything feels “safe,” you’ll miss out on so much growth.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm15343526
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/desmondlohjuntian/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/desmondljt91/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@DesmondJeffersonLoh
• Other: https://www.twitch.tv/DesmondDezzy