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

Hi Yiwen, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
The decision to embark on an artistic career has been shaped by a blend of personal experiences and an inherent thirst for creativity. My journey began with playing a significant role in a feature film during Grade 7, where I was first introduced to the magic of storytelling through performance. This initial exposure ignited a curiosity within me, ushering me to delve deeper into the world of filmmaking upon entering high school. As I immersed myself in the exploration of this craft, I cultivated a deep appreciation for such an intricate process of storytelling that lies at its core.

Beyond the technical facets of filmmaking, it was the profound impact of narratives that truly resonated with me. I became captivated by the power of film to not only challenge perceptions but also to evoke genuine emotions and foster connections among individuals from diverse backgrounds. It is this transformative potential of storytelling that fuels my passion and drives my pursuit of a creative career. Looking back on my journey, I view my decision to follow this path as a natural extension of my innate desire to explore and express ideas in ways that transcend boundaries and resonate deeply with others.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My early dedication to learning and crafting my skills as a producer, starting in my junior year of high school, sets me apart in the industry. My mom often says I have a unique eye for capturing beautiful stories. Entering New York University (NYU) and pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Film & TV, I’ve been focusing on producing short films and music videos that have earned recognition at prestigious film festivals, including Oscar-qualifying ones. I always enjoy standing in a producer role, piecing every aspect of the production together, and seeing the final project eventually reach a wide audience. I’m most excited about how my work can bring me to places all over the world, broaden my vision, and circle back to my future work. To further share, I was talking to my friend a few days ago about how I wanted to visit Europe so badly, and two days later, our music video got selected for the 70th International Short Film Festival Oberhausen happening in early May in Germany, which realized my dream in such a surprisingly short term. Though the journey hasn’t been easy, I’ve overcome challenges through perseverance and a willingness to always learn from the past.

Throughout this process, I’ve learned valuable lessons in collaboration and adaptability. With a group of friends who share the same passion for content creation, we all commit to telling meaningful stories that resonate deeply with audiences, aiming to inspire, challenge, and evoke genuine emotions. While my journey began at a young age, my passion for storytelling continues to drive me forward.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Being a New Yorker for three years, I would still often visit Dumbo, Brooklyn. It’s the area where you can capture the entire Manhattan Skyline accompanied by the flickering lights from Jane’s Carousel, my favorite.

Eat – YES! New York has some of the best diverse cuisines in the world. Just to list a few: Chinese (Hunan Slurp if you enjoy spicy food), Korean (Gopchang Story BBQ, an amazing bustling restaurant offering Korean signature dishes), etc.

Visit – 1) The MET, presents over 5000 years of art. I still haven’t checked out everything there but I wish I could one day. 2) Broadway Shows, once in a lifetime, must be seen. 3) Williamsburg, a nice neighborhood to walk around and enjoy young and fashionable essence.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would like to extend my appreciation to Jingzhi Hu “Jinzy,” a singer-songwriter/artist I worked with since the summer of 2022. I produced her first music video “Beyond Farewell” (for her single “Joi”), which garnered recognition at numerous Oscar-qualifying and esteemed film festivals. Jinzy has always been an inspiring individual in demonstrating a remarkable level of creativity and we continue to foster a relationship in creating more content. Thus, I’d love to dedicate my shoutout to her.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yiwenq530?igsh=NnVubmpuM2RkMzY%3D&utm_source=qr

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yiwen-qian-05240b238?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app

Image Credits
2023 Micheaux Film Festival official photographer (unknown), 2023 Woodstock Film Festival official photographer Jason F. Vasquez, 2023 Rhode Island International Film Festival photographer Scoot Wang.

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