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

Jiayang, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

In the spring of 2024, I directed my most ambitious and personal short film so far, titled Teenhood. I had just turned 20, and this film was reflection of my years as a teenager.

Teenhood is a story about family. Throughout my life, there have been far too many things I wished to have said to the people I love but weren’t able to because of the fear of judgment, rejection, or misunderstanding. However, I was quick to notice that this goes both ways. That the people we keep a piece of ourselves with are often doing the same thing. I began to understand that love occurs in proportion to one’s willingness to be hurt.

I left countless words unsaid so I could protect myself, and I’ve come to realize that I was never alone. I hope this film serves as a reminder that honesty and vulnerability can be incredibly hard for all of us. But fortunately, the hardest decisions are often the right ones.

Teenhood is a story of identity. Growing up in Wyoming as one of the only Asian Americans, I see this film as a reflection of the many questions I had when searching for my identity and place in that unfamiliar land. It began with the constant urge to fit in and be considered normal. But moving through my own teenhood taught me an unforgettable lesson.

I learned that while we were all born with confidence, we can also lose it through unaddressed trauma. It’s only when we properly acknowledge and handle the false identity we create for ourselves to cope with these past traumas can we finally embody the best person we can be. I hope this story serves as an ode to the struggles and courage so many immigrant children share.

Jiayang, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’m a film director, producer, and cinematographer currently studying film production at the USC School of Cinematic Arts. Ever since I was a boy, I had a passion for animals and wanted to be a zoologist for the longest time. In 5th grade, I had many pets and also built a model zoo with my toy animals. I imagined the thoughts that would go through their minds and came up with stories of the lives they live. One day I was talking to my mom about my ideas and she showed me an app on her phone called iMovie. I became obsessed with it ever since. 9 years and 50+ short films later, I continue to pursue my passion for the art of filmmaking.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

There is nothing more rewarding than being able to wake up everyday and do exactly what I love. I follow a metaphysical energy that leads me to ideas that are dying to be conveyed through art. I get to live a life of curiosity and love, to seek out what the universe deems worthy to be told.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

I want to be able to consistently tell original, authentic stories while entertaining the audience. Film has the power to change the world and bring people together. I want to be a champion of the art and help myself and others share their personal stories.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://jiayangliu.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jiayangliu_/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jiayang-liu/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@jiayangliu

Image Credits
Ian Chen, Marissa Yeh, Bonnie Zhong