We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Ziyu Gao a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Ziyu thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

I have written, directed, and produced over 5 films in my career but the most meaningful film is a piece that I created this summer titled ‘Ways of Talking’. My films and themes relate a lot to things that I have experienced both as a person of color and as a woman in the film industry. One key theme in all of my films – be it horror, comedy, action – is identity. Specifically, finding your place within the world and understanding your connections to people. So ‘Ways of Talking’, which is a short film from the perspective of a young woman being interrogated by police after the suicide of her brother – it resonates very deeply with me because it speaks to issues such as the lack of communication and stigmatisation of mental health, especially within Asian households. Growing up, no one spoke to or taught me about mental health – it’s an important topic and I think this film was interesting in its exploration of family dynamics especially within the context of incidents that are considered taboo.

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

I started in the industry as an actress—I was involved in theater throughout my entire childhood. When COVID hit, it was really difficult not being able to go out and act, so I turned to filmmaking. At first, it was just self-tapes, a way to keep my acting muscle strong, but then I booked a short film during COVID that changed everything. I would wake up at 4 a.m. every morning, drive two hours upstate to set, and spend the day filming. I fell in love with being on set—the energy, the collaboration, the sheer magic of bringing a story to life. That experience made me realize I didn’t just want to be in front of the camera—I wanted to be behind it, shaping the entire vision.

That’s what led me to directing. Storytelling has always come naturally to me, and directing felt like the perfect extension of that. I took a film class at USC’s School of Cinematic Arts and immediately knew this was what I wanted to do. Since then, I’ve written, directed, and produced over six award-winning films, launched my own production company (Creative Picture Productions), and worked with brands like Berlook Swimwear, Revolve, Elitelink Education, and Runway7 Fashion on commercial projects. My short film Ways of Talking won Best Student Female Director at the New York Infest Film Festival and has screened at Los Angeles Film Awards, Independent Shorts Awards, and Urban Mediamakers Film Festival (UMFF), among others. Another film of mine, The Ascent, a psychological horror about a pizza delivery driver encountering a seemingly haunted elevator, premiered at Yonkers Film Festival, where it also gained significant recognition.

Beyond film, I’ve built a strong presence in the fashion world. I’ve attended New York Fashion Week for the past three years, sitting front row at shows for brands like Alice & Olivia, Tory Burch, Prabal Gurung, and Bibhu Mohapatra. These experiences have allowed me to connect with major players in both the fashion and film industries, even leading to interviews with E! News. I’m also the social media manager for Barbizon, a global modeling and acting agency, where I’ve leveraged my platform to grow their digital presence.

Right now, I’m in an incredibly exciting phase of my career. This March, I’m producing a new short film with a $10K budget, funded through Seed&Spark, and this summer, I’ll be attending the Cannes Film Festival—one of the biggest opportunities of my life. Not only will I be networking with top executives and filmmakers, but I’ll also be attending premieres, walking red carpets, and solidifying my place in the international film scene.

My ultimate goal is to bridge the gap between people of different backgrounds and ethnicities. I use my storytelling abilities to create visually stunning, emotionally powerful narratives. Whether it’s through directing, acting, or producing, my mission is to bring underrepresented stories to life, with a special focus on women of color in cinema. Over the next few months, I’ll be producing more films, stepping into bigger acting roles, and continuing to push the boundaries of what I can achieve.

I want my journey to inspire others—especially young filmmakers who might not have the traditional path laid out for them. I’m proof that you don’t have to wait for permission to start creating. If you have a vision, make it happen. That’s exactly what I’m doing.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

For me, the most rewarding part of being an artist isn’t just the films I make—it’s the people I meet and the connections I build along the way.

A little while ago, I met an aspiring Asian filmmaker who had a script she wanted to direct, but no one believed in her. No one gave her the chance. But when I read her script, I knew it was good. I knew that if it was made, people would love it. So I took a chance on her. Through my production company, Creative Picture Productions, I helped bring her vision to life, and that film went on to screen at the New York Shorts Film Festival.

That experience meant so much to me because I saw myself in her. I was once that little Asian girl that everyone laughed at when I said I wanted to make films. I was once the only girl in the room, standing in the corner while the guys dismissed my ideas like they weren’t worth listening to. And now, I get to be the person who tells other young women, especially women of color, that their stories matter. That their voices are worth hearing.

That’s what makes being a creative so fulfilling—the ability to create opportunities, to uplift others, and to make an impact every day through storytelling. I recently worked on a short film with an all-Asian cast and crew, and seeing that kind of representation on set was incredibly rewarding. The industry is changing, and I’m proud to be a part of that change.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

Social media is such a powerful tool for creatives. When I started, I had zero followers, no platform, and no idea how to navigate the space. Now, I’ve grown to over 4K followers and reach 400K views a month, sharing my journey as a filmmaker, actress, and content creator.

For me, the key to building a lasting presence has been authenticity. People can sense when you’re being genuine, so it’s important to stay true to yourself and focus on what you love. I never set out to chase numbers—I just started documenting my experiences, sharing my successes and struggles, and connecting with others who share my passion for film. That realness is what keeps people engaged.

Social media has done more than just build my audience—it’s connected me with directors, producers, and even my next writer and cinematographer. I’ve met incredible creatives, formed collaborations, and even booked opportunities just through the relationships I’ve built online.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.ziyugao.net/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ziyu.gao/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/-ziyugao
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ziyugao