With the rapid development of China’s film industry, an increasing number of young filmmakers are emerging, gaining recognition not only domestically but also on the international stage. Among them, executive producer Qi Yang has stood out for his exceptional production coordination skills and unique insights into film art. He successfully served as the executive producer for two highly acclaimed short films, “Retro Memo” and “On the Way.”
As a representative of emerging filmmakers, Qi Yang dares to pursue his dreams and face challenges head-on, contributing his talent and passion to the film industry. After completing his undergraduate studies in China, he unexpectedly discovered his love for art films. Despite initial opposition from his family, Qi Yang firmly chose to follow his passion and venture into the limitless field of filmmaking. Through his dedication to art and pursuit of dreams, he humbly learned and accumulated experience in small and medium-sized film crews in Beijing and Shanghai, gradually making a name for himself in film production. During this period, he also received meticulous guidance from senior members of the NYU Tisch film, bridging the gap in his film knowledge and skills across disciplines. To further explore film art, he went to San Francisco, California, at the end of 2021 ，where he triumphantly earned a Master of Fine Arts in Film degree. In this city, known as the cradle of independent films, the fusion and collision of diverse cultures provided him with endless inspiration.
“Retro Memo” tells the story of a father suffering from schizophrenia (with symptoms similar to Alzheimer’s) who struggles painfully in a whirlpool of memories, constantly troubled by past memories and reality. Ultimately, he makes a brave decision to face reality with his daughter. The one-shot technique used in the film undoubtedly tests the abilities of the screenwriter, director, and the entire crew. To achieve the perfect effect, the screenwriter and director carefully designed the plot, cleverly interspersing different memory fragments and using changes in lighting to reflect the protagonist’s emotional fluctuations. This tightly connects the audience to the protagonist’s emotional world, making them feel as if they are experiencing his inner struggles and decisions firsthand.
As the executive producer of this film, Qi Yang’s role is particularly important. He is not only the project’s promoter but also the guardian of creativity. He is the planner and driver of the project, as well as the soul and core of the entire creative team. It was his keen insight, meticulous management, and unwavering pursuit of art that allowed this work to shine on the international stage, winning recognition from major international awards.
“Retro Memo” won the “Best Young Filmmaker” award at the prestigious Top Shorts Film Festival, a high honor recognizing Qi Yang’s outstanding performance in film creation. Recognized as the world’s leading online film festival, Top Shorts boasts over 200 five-star reviews on FilmFreeway, making it one of the best-reviewed festivals. It recently ranked 8th among over 4,000 of the world’s finest film festivals (and 1st among online festivals, according to FilmFreeway’s May 2016 report). Furthermore, it was handpicked by Motion Array as one of the best short film festivals for budding filmmakers.Standing out in such a high-level competition not only highlights Qi Yang’s extraordinary talent and unique perspective in film production but also foretells his limitless potential and broad prospects in the film industry.
Winning awards at the Cannes World Film Festival and Vancouver International Movie Awards not only highlighted the film’s breakthroughs in technical innovation but also showcased Qi Yang’s excellent ability to flexibly apply new technologies in film production. The Cannes World Film Festival, one of the most influential film festivals globally, hosts monthly and annual IMDb-qualifying competitions for international filmmakers, screenwriters, composers, singers, and bands, making it an unmissable international cultural event that has achieved great success among the new generation. The Vancouver International Movie Awards, an important award in the film industry, draws inspiration from Vancouver’s thriving film and television industry, which creates over 60,000 direct and indirect jobs locally. With world-class visual effects and animation production companies, it provides a favorable environment for filmmakers.
Additionally, the film stood out at the New York International Film Awards, winning the Grand Jury Award for Best Indie Short Film and the Best 1st Time Filmmaker award, specifically established for first-time directors. This film festival, one of the most influential independent film festivals globally, brings together top professionals in the industry, and its strict evaluation standards are impressive. Winning such prestigious awards is not only high recognition of Qi Yang’s filmmaking skills but also a testament to his unique perspective and extraordinary talent as the executive producer of the work.
Furthermore, the work received a series of notable nominations,including at the Hollywood Independent Filmmaker Awards & Festival. Located in the heart of Hollywood, the judges of the Hollywood Independent Filmmaker Awards range from former studio executives and talent managers to award-winning independent filmmakers, with a combined experience of over 50 years in the entertainment industry.
The HollyWood Shorts Fest, one of the world’s most renowned short film festivals, attracts a large number of excellent short films from around the world. The International New York Film Festival (INYFF), held annually in Times Square, New York City, attracts significant attention from international filmmakers. Known for its diverse and high-quality films, the festival has made a name for itself. The Hong Kong Indie Film Festival (HIFF), a newly established bi-monthly online film festival, is dedicated to providing a platform for global independent filmmakers to showcase and exchange their work. These honors not only significantly enhance the visibility and influence of “Retro Memo” but also encourage and motivate Qi Yang as a young filmmaker, fully demonstrating his dedication to film art and extraordinary talent.
Another work, “On the Way,” is a documentary about the confusion and growth of young people after graduation. The film, shot in a non-interview format through long-term follow-up and material accumulation, genuinely depicts the confusion and struggles of young people in their twenties when facing career and emotional choices. The film won the Best Documentary Short award at the New York International Film Awards and was a semi-finalist at the Indie Short Fest. Its realistic depiction and deep exploration of the characters’ inner worlds allow the audience to feel the authenticity and cruelty of life. Qi Yang’s leadership, innovative thinking, and profound understanding of film art enabled “On the Way” to stand out among many works and receive such high honors.
“On the Way” won the Best Documentary Short award at the New York International Film Awards, a testament to its excellent quality and profound theme. This film festival is one of the most influential globally, known for its stringent evaluation standards and high demands for film art. Winning this award demonstrates the outstanding achievements of “On the Way” in narrative techniques and artistic expression, as well as Qi Yang’s extraordinary talent and keen insight as an executive producer.
Moreover, “On the Way” was a semi-finalist at the Indie Short Fest, a highly respected international short film festival focused on discovering and showcasing innovative works by independent filmmakers. Being nominated at this festival affirms the film’s unique perspective and profound content. The rigorous selection process at Indie Short Fest requires nominated works to undergo multiple rounds of evaluation, and reaching the semi-finals stage proves the film’s dual success in artistic quality and audience impact.
As the executive producer of “On the Way,” Qi Yang played a crucial role in the film’s production, promotion, and award-winning process. Understanding the importance of post-production editing to the film’s quality, he helped the director raise funds for post-production and personally contributed funds to ensure the film’s smooth completion. This steadfast support and investment demonstrate Qi Yang’s passion for the film and his relentless pursuit of film art.
In addition to financial support, Qi Yang used his rich experience and professional knowledge to offer valuable editing suggestions to the editor. He deeply understood the film’s theme and emotions, working closely with the editor to create an editing effect that matched the film’s style and emotional expression. This attention to detail and control helped “On the Way” achieve outstanding standards in narrative rhythm and visual effects, laying a solid foundation for the film’s success. Qi Yang’s talent, effort, and contributions made “On the Way” a widely acclaimed work, winning numerous international film competition awards.
In summary, as an emerging filmmaker, Qi Yang has successfully participated in two acclaimed short films through his love for film art and relentless pursuit. His talent and efforts have won industry recognition and provided audiences with a profound viewing experience. We believe that Qi Yang will continue to shine in his future film career, contributing to the prosperous development of the film industry.
