We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Qianhui Ma. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Qianhui below.

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

The most meaningful project I’ve ever worked on is ChowFun StandUp—a Mandarin-language stand-up comedy show produced by CrazyLaugh Comedy, the very first Chinese stand-up club in NYC, D.C., and L.A.

We filmed it over two weeks at SinoVision New York, and I was part of the on-site crew, managing one of the main camera setups. I also supported the show behind the scenes—doing performers’ makeup and helping with logistics. But honestly, what made it so meaningful wasn’t the technical work. It was what the show stood for.

As a Chinese and a Film & Media Studies student, I’ve spent years analyzing media and identity, but this show hit home on a whole different level. CrazyLaugh is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit with a powerful mission: to help first-generation Asian immigrants find their voice and be unapologetically themselves. And that’s exactly what CrazyLaugh Comedy did. These comedians weren’t just telling jokes, they were reclaiming their space.

To me, this wasn’t just a comedy show. It was a cultural moment. It created a space where Chinese people living abroad—people like me—could feel seen, heard, and understood.

I still volunteer with CrazyLaugh as their regular open mic photographer, helping them with content for promotions. And every time I’m there, I’m reminded: this is why I care so deeply about media. Not just to entertain—but to empower, to connect, and to tell the stories that matter.

Here’s the playlist, if you’re curious: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLWLaQANeSL4kGMjjs__WiFLMYsvOfyExQ
And this is the club’s official site: https://crazylaugh.co/comedy/

Qianhui, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Hi, I’m Qianhui Ma. I’m a filmmaker, researcher, and cultural storyteller from China. I studied film production during my undergraduate years and pursued further academic research in film and media at one of the premier institutions in the United States.

I work at the intersection of visual storytelling, cultural production, and community engagement. My practice spans video production, photography, game narrative, brand content, and social media strategy. Across these fields, I’m always drawn to stories that amplify marginalized voices, especially those rooted in gender, diaspora, and cultural identity.

Among all the projects I’ve worked on, ChowFun StandUp is by far the most meaningful to me. Produced by CrazyLaugh Comedy, it is the first Mandarin-language stand-up comedy show filmed in New York, created to give first-generation Chinese immigrants a stage to speak, laugh, and be seen.

As a Chinese creative studying abroad, this project carried deep personal meaning. I contributed to filming, makeup, and backstage support throughout the production. More important than the technical work was the experience of seeing our community speak for itself, not through trauma, but with humor, clarity, and pride. It reminded me why I chose this path. Media is not just a profession. It is a responsibility. It is a way to preserve collective memory, challenge cultural stereotypes, and create a sense of emotional belonging.

I approach each project with critical thinking and cultural empathy, always asking how the work can touch, move, or empower someone. This includes helping companies tell emotionally resonant stories for their brand and products, building trust with audiences and increasing conversion rates. For example, I’ve created narrative-driven content for fashion, lifestyle, and culturally-rooted brands, helping them communicate their values through emotionally engaging stories that connect with their target audiences and enhance brand loyalty. I understand how to translate a brand’s identity into visual and narrative language that not only resonates with consumers, but also supports long-term growth and market relevance.

If you’re looking for a collaborator who values truth, voice, and visibility, I’d love to connect.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

For me, the most fulfilling part of being a creator is learning to live with uncertainty and choosing to keep creating.

When I first started creating, I thought that creating was all about getting everything right – mastering the craft, meeting expectations, and proving myself through my work. I used to believe that if I could just do everything perfectly, the path ahead would become clear. But the more I create, the more I realize that true creativity has little to do with certainty or control.

Sometimes I doubt everything I do. There are times when I feel like the effort is intangible, the results are small, and the future is out of my reach. It’s easy to stop me in my tracks. It’s easy to tell myself that maybe it’s enough to do what’s expected and take a safer path. But somehow, even in moments of doubt, I choose to keep working. To create something, even if I don’t know where it will lead. To believe that all small, quiet efforts matter, even if they aren’t immediately seen.

For me, that’s the most rewarding part of this journey. Not any one piece of work, but the act of building something real out of uncertainty. Learning to trust my voice, even when the world makes me feel noisy and confused. Knowing that every project I complete, every story I tell, holds the intangible choice to move on, allows me to always believe that the work itself is enough.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

One important lesson I had to unlearn is the belief that I could, or should, have everything at once. I used to think that if I just worked hard enough, I could do everything perfectly and keep every door open.

When I was finishing my graduate studies, I was writing my thesis, looking for jobs, and trying to decide which country or city I should move to next. I was thinking about too many things at the same time. I wanted to keep all possibilities alive. I thought if I just kept pushing, I could make it all work.

But I learned that when you try to hold onto everything at once, you often end up with less, not more. Opportunities require focus, and trying to do everything can sometimes mean you miss the things that matter most. Now, I am learning to prioritize, to invest my energy wisely, and to understand that sometimes, choosing a few things with clarity is more powerful than chasing everything at once.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://qianhuim.wixsite.com/website