Meet Ziyao Liu | Writer/Director

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

Hi Ziyao, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
I believe in the value of taking risks to challenge yourself, mostly because I find it true that when I stretch myself to the next level of challenge, even if I may not be quite ready for it yet, I’m always surprised by how I somehow level up and achieve things that I thought I couldn’t manage. I guess risk-taking is also quite subjective since others often find my experience risky, but I simply went with the flow most of the time and did what felt right to me at the time. For example, I came to the U.S. alone with two suitcases when I was 18, learned how to fly before I learned how to drive, and chose a career in filmmaking, These random events and decisions led to where I’m at and it’s always entertaining for me to imagine where I would be had I taken a different path at some point.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I know it’s a privilege to make films and tell stories, and I find myself incredibly lucky to be doing what I want to do. I grew up in China, specifically the “West Virginia” of China known for its coal mining industry, and now live in Los Angeles as a transplant and a “resident alien,” I draw inspiration from both worlds when I write and direct since I feel that I don’t quite belong to either world. Having to navigate different languages and cultures shapes my identity as a global citizen, while simultaneously urging me to learn my family histories to ground myself with meanings from traditions and rituals. That’s why I write stories about people who find humor in the absurdity of existence, stories that are beyond language and cultural barriers, so we all feel a little less alone in this chaotically paradoxical yet beautiful world. One of the biggest challenges that I took on was to make my first feature film, Outbound, which is also currently under fiscal sponsorship with Film Independent. It was a huge undertaking with a limited budget and so many locations from Los Angeles to San Francisco since it’s a road trip film, and I’m so grateful to have a great team supporting me and the project. Filmmaking is such a collaborative art, and I’ve learned to put my trust in and work with talented people to bring the story to a new level. It’s a beautiful process.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Los Angeles has so much to offer for everyone. I often find people too ambitious with their itinerary and it’s a lot to do in one day since it’s also so spread out. People are constantly trapped in their cars so I would love to take my friend to just walk around my neighborhood in Silver Lake and see what we catch that day. Spontaneity can be a beautiful thing.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would love to dedicate my shoutout to my family who’s been so supportive of me. We don’t get to choose our family when we are born into this world, but I find myself incredibly lucky to have understanding and encouraging parents, and I would love to make films beyond languages and borders so that they can also understand and appreciate.

Website: https://ziyaoliu.com/

Instagram: @yaoeeew