Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Iga Xiaoyi Zhou. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Iga Xiaoyi, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What did your parents do right and how has that impacted you in your life and career?

I’ve heard my mom share countless times about her dream of becoming an artist when she was growing up. She would go into vivid detail about how my grandmother was firmly against the idea of her pursuing ballet and performing arts, which my mom had been passionately practicing as a teenager. She would hide her ballet shoes in her schoolbag and secretly practice before and after school. Even when her toes bled from hours of dancing, she would push through and hide the pain when walking in front of my grandmother.

She’s naturally gifted—whether it’s singing, acting, or dancing. According to her, she was just one step away from becoming a star—if she’s not exaggerating—until she had to give it all up for marriage and family under the weight of societal and family expectations. That was considered the “normal” path for women of her generation. Despite giving up on her dream, she never gave up her artistic spirit. Growing up, I bathed in her singing and storytelling, which sparked my interest in art. I wanted to be so many things—an actor, a dancer, a guzheng player, and even a guitar player. Like every other Asian mom, mine loved to critique me. She’d say things like, “You’re not serious about learning this,” but still bought me courses to learn it.

Of course, the most life-changing thing my mom did for me was moving to America. Adjusting to a completely different lifestyle and environment was incredibly difficult for her, but she chose to do it anyway because she believed it would give me a better future. I think a part of her sees her own dream living on through me and the career I’m pursuing. That thought has stayed with me as a reminder to keep pursuing.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’m an OC/LA-based film director, screenwriter, and editor. My husband, Bilal, and I created Laughing Duck Production, a brand dedicated to film and video production. While I’m always working on creating my own original projects, I also collaborate with other creators across all stages of production.

As an Asian female filmmaker, I take great pride in supporting other female and minority artists and bringing their narratives to life. Many of the films I’ve directed and written center around female characters and explore authentic female experiences. Currently, I’m in the writer’s room for a TV series, where I’m crafting arcs for two contrasting characters: the season’s villainess and the hero’s love interest. It’s been an exciting challenge to write for two characters with such different journeys, and I love bringing powerful female characters to life.

Growing up, I saw countless classic films where female characters were stereotyped—relegated to sidekicks or solely love interests for male leads. That lack of representation stuck with me, and it’s a big reason why I’m so passionate about contributing to a change. This passion for authentic storytelling is also why my husband and I created Laughing Duck Production in the first place. We wanted to build a brand that not only produces compelling work but also touches on diverse voices and experiences.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

I think one of the biggest challenges many artists face is financial insecurity. Everything about art is expensive—from education programs to tools and licenses. For filmmakers specifically, it’s more expensive to make a film here, in the U.S., than in Asia or Europe. Creating more funding opportunities, grants, and affordable workspaces would be a big step toward building a thriving creative ecosystem.

Valuing the work we do is also crucial, especially with the rise of powerful AI tools in the industry today. Artists shouldn’t lose job opportunities because of AI, and they absolutely deserve fair compensation for their contributions. I remember shooting my thesis film during the Hollywood strike, when productions had dramatically decreased. People were only working on indie projects. Audiences often see the stars of the show but forget about the hundreds of folks behind the scenes—many of whom are living on minimum wage.

For everyday people, supporting local art is one of the best ways to show love. From attending film festivals to purchasing work from independent artists, even small actions can make a big difference. Sharing a project on your social media, donating to an artist’s crowdfunding campaign, or attending a screening can have a ripple effect, allowing artists to continue creating and telling stories that matter.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being an artist, for me, is connecting with people on a deeply emotional level. Art has this incredible power to reach beyond language, culture, and personal experiences, tapping into something universal. I love seeing people react to my films—watching them connect with my characters because of their own similar life experiences is an indescribable feeling. The best compliment I’ve ever received was from a girl who told me my film made her think of her mom. It makes me feel like our shared experiences were acknowledged as part of something greater, something whole.

Staying in a creative mindset is also a gift of being an artist. I can’t do simple, repetitive tasks. They make me feel like a machine as it rusts my brain. Creativity keeps me alive. I’m always excited to take on new projects because they bring fresh challenges and goals to overcome. Watching the images in my head slowly transform into motion on the screen is a uniquely fulfilling process. It’s difficult to imagine how much work goes into even a three-second shot unless you’ve been on a film set—how many people it takes, each contributing their talents to bring that one moment to life. It’s a collective effort.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.laughingduckproduction.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/igablues/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/iga-xiaoyi-zhou-1805b3252/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@laughingduckpro

Image Credits

Old Towne Film Festival