Meet Dylan Lei | Independent Film Producer and Distributor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Dylan Lei and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dylan, why did you pursue a creative career?
I have always believed that artists have a social responsibility and that the essence of art is to help and educate society. I believe that art is a humanistic concern rather than an outpouring of expressive desire. I always approach my art career with this mindset, responsible for humanity, responsible for society, and responsible for love. This may sound exaggerated, but the film artists I love have this kind of temperament, and they influence me.

What should our readers know about your business?
My business is a very niche one, which is to order a marketing and distribution plan for an independent film. The clients I serve are often not called independent films, but more student films. My job is to be fully informed of the latest news from the world’s major film festivals, assess their artistic preferences, and select the most appropriate festivals for student films to be pitched. My clients are often film school students from China who have no experience or even access to submit to overseas festivals, and I help them do this.

I have already helped several films achieve the critical acclaim and recognition they deserve, and I will continue to help more young filmmakers. Of course I am aware of how restricted this market is, so I am not in a hurry to expand my commercial footprint, but rather strive to make the best of the projects I already have.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
My favorite place is without a doubt Santa Monica Beach. For nature lovers, it has the most beautiful sunsets and sandy beaches, and countless people surf here. For those who love the action, the stores along the coastal road are bustling with activity. For those who love food, the most authentic seafood can be found here. For those who like vintage scenes, Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier is my favorite.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
One of the most common questions I get asked in the film industry is: Do you really enjoy being a producer? My answer is: Yes, I enjoy it.

In some people’s eyes, a filmmaker equals a director, while producers in independent films often do the odd job of running errands. To a certain extent this is true, but it must not be the whole story. In a production crew, the producer has more responsibilities. My shoutout prefers to give directors and writers with a passion for creativity a chance to turn their ideas into reality, ensure the production of the film, and earn the director and writer a reputation that will lead to a positive cycle of re-creation.

Website: https://dylanlei.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dylan_layyy/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dylan-lei-6ab697169/?locale=en_US

Other: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm11749467/

Image Credits
@nemo.cxx for the first image