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

Xiaoyu, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to start by getting your thoughts on what you are seeing as some the biggest trends emerging in your industry.

One of the most significant and disruptive trends in the film industry today is the integration of artificial intelligence into the creative and production pipeline. AI is no longer just a tool for efficiency—it’s evolving into a creative language that is reshaping how we tell stories, who gets to tell them, and how those stories connect with audiences.
A great example of this is the Hollywood AI Festival (HAF). This international platform was created to spotlight films either made with AI tools or exploring AI themes. In less than a year, the festival has received submissions from over 30 countries, gained recognition from both traditional film outlets and tech media, and established itself as an IMDb-qualifying event.
Of course, with any transformative trend come concerns: authorship rights, ethical use of training data, and the risk of creativity being replaced by automation. But the opportunities are far greater—AI enables storytellers from underrepresented backgrounds to overcome financial and technical barriers and bring to life ideas that previously required massive budgets.
An award-winning short film— The Last President, for instance, used a virtual VFX pipeline and AI-assisted editing to complete over 10,000 shots in just two months. The film has now won over 50 international awards. This wasn’t just about embracing a trend—it was about proving that a new cinematic future is already underway.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

My name is Xiaoyu Li, a producer. I am also the founder and CEO of ULOOK PICTURES INC., an independent film and media production company based in Los Angeles. Our studio focuses on narrative features, experimental shorts, commercials, and branded content. We specialize in working with emerging filmmakers who are pushing the boundaries of visual storytelling and cinematic language.
One of the most exciting collaborations I’ve had is with Bin He, a filmmaker who blends advanced technical skills with bold storytelling. After creating his award-winning short film, The Last President, Bin is expected co-producing two highly anticipated feature films alongside me, and Emmy-nominated producer Gabriela Ono. Both films are being produced under Pronoia Entertainment LLC, founded by Gabriela, and are already gaining international attention. We as the production team plans to attach recognizable talent to boost both market appeal and festival competitiveness.

The first project, Wishful Thinking, is a psychological sci-fi thriller set to begin production on November 10, 2025. Thanks to its distinctive concept and high production value, the film has already attracted the interest of distributors and major film festivals. Casting discussions include:
* Lead Actress Options:
* Mackenzie Davis (Terminator: Dark Fate, Black Mirror) – Known for cerebral, tech-driven roles.
* Jessica Barden (The End of the F**ing World*) – Unsettling emotional depth, ideal for psychological thrillers.
* Anya Taylor-Joy (The Queen’s Gambit, Split) – Strong commercial and critical appeal.
* Lead Actor Options:
* Domhnall Gleeson (Ex Machina, The Patient) – Deep experience with AI/human narratives.
* Rami Malek (Mr. Robot, Bohemian Rhapsody) – Intense screen presence, mysterious tone.
* Caleb Landry Jones (Get Out, Nitram) – Edgy, experimental energy.

The second feature, A Monster Affair, is a romantic fantasy with allegorical depth, scheduled to start production on July 6, 2026. The project has already been invited to multiple international development markets and is generating buzz within industry circles. Potential cast includes:
* Lead Actress Options:
* Thomasin McKenzie (Last Night in Soho, Jojo Rabbit) – Ethereal and emotionally intelligent.
* Lana Condor (To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before) – Youthful, multicultural appeal.
* Florence Pugh (Little Women, Midsommar) – Powerful emotional range, festival favorite.
* Lead Actor Options:
* Ben Whishaw (Perfume, Paddington) – Subtle and poetic; perfect for symbolic roles.
* Timothée Chalamet (Dune, Call Me by Your Name) – Top-tier youth icon with critical acclaim.
* Joe Alwyn (The Favourite, Mary Queen of Scots) – Gentle, mysterious presence.

Both films combine genre appeal with philosophical and emotional complexity. By attaching actors with festival track records and global recognition, we’re positioning them for commercial success and critical recognition. We believe these projects will define a new wave of internationally relevant, genre-defying cinema.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

One of the most defining experiences that illustrates my resilience was producing the short film The Last President in collaboration with director Bin He. From the very beginning, the project was extremely challenging—it was a highly visual, VFX-driven sci-fi film, but we had almost no budget and no access to a traditional production infrastructure.
Instead of waiting for ideal conditions, I decided to move forward with what we had. We built a nearly fully remote production team, leveraged global resources, and used AI tools, virtual cinematography, and cloud-based workflows to complete the entire post-production process. As the producer, I was responsible for managing execution, scheduling, rights clearance, and festival strategy, all while navigating technical difficulties, limited manpower, and intense time pressure.
After completion, we submitted the film to hundreds of festivals around the world. It went on to receive over 1,000 official selections and won more than 50 international awards. That experience taught me that a lack of resources is not a reason to give up—it’s a reason to innovate. True resilience means moving forward in the face of obstacles and proving your vision through action.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

Absolutely. My mission, as a producer, is to discover and empower creative voices who are shaping the future of cinema, and to build an ecosystem where innovation, inclusion, and artistic freedom are not optional—but essential.
Our upcoming films, Wishful Thinking and A Monster Affair, reflect bold, emotionally layered, and visually inventive storytelling. Both projects are strategically positioned for the international market, with plans to attach globally recognized talent and pursue festival premieres and wide distribution.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://hollywoodaifest.com
• Twitter: @UlookP
• Other: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm17184349/?ref_=ttfc_fcr_cr

Image Credits

Bin He