Meet Renyi Qi

We recently connected with Renyi Qi and have shared our conversation below.

Renyi, so excited to have you with us today. So much we can chat about, but one of the questions we are most interested in is how you have managed to keep your creativity alive.

I’m always feeding my curiosity.

I read, I watch movies — the classics, the commercials, the weird ones. I also love TikTok where some creators are just wild in the best way.
But more than anything, I love talking to people. People from all walks of life, different backgrounds, different cultures. I love hearing about their joys, their fears, their weird little habits — just observing how they move through the world.

Real emotions, real behaviors —they’re the raw materials for everything I create.
If filmmaking is like building a house, then these real-life experiences are the foundation. Without that human connection, no matter how flashy the ideas are, the house would crumble.
So for me, creativity stays alive through curiosity, connection, and staying wide open to the world around me.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I’m a filmmaker specializing in writing, directing, and producing.
I was born and raised in Shanghai, then moved to New York to study Art History and Visual Arts at Barnard College, Columbia University. During my time there, I had the chance to explore all kinds of artistic mediums — and somewhere along the way, I realized that filmmaking was what I wanted to dedicate my life to. I’ve always been drawn to storytelling that explores social issues — especially topics around gender dynamics, the struggles women face, and Asian representation in today’s world.

In the summer of 2019, I worked as a cinematographer on a short documentary that later screened at the Jerusalem Film Festival. It followed a 76-year-old female activist fighting to preserve an ancient neighborhood against aggressive modernization. Watching her resilience and spirit, despite overwhelming odds, struck a deep chord in me. That moment really cemented my belief that filmmaking can be one of the most powerful ways to bring important stories to light. It was the true beginning of my journey as a filmmaker.

I officially kicked off my professional career as an Associate Producer on “Blossoms Shanghai,” directed by Wong Kar-Wai. The series, released in 2024, ended up winning 64 awards and receiving 25 nominations globally. Working so closely with executives and creatives on that project opened my eyes to the full, complex process of professional filmmaking — both creatively and logistically. It was an incredible experience, but it also made me ask myself: what if I have ideas of my own? What would it look like if I were the one leading the creative vision?

That’s when I decided to further invest in myself and my voice. I enrolled at USC’s School of Cinematic Arts — one of the best film schools in the world. There, I was lucky to bring some of my ideas to life. One of my short films, “The Long Sigh of Emptiness,” which I wrote, directed, and produced, helped me receive the Jon M. Chu Scholarship and the James Bridges & Jack Larson Scholarship.

But as I dove deeper into the Hollywood industry, I realized something unsettling: despite the huge amount of stories being told, the nuanced experiences and emotional realities of Asian women were still so often misunderstood, flattened, or left out altogether. As an Asian female filmmaker, I’ve made it a personal mission to change that. I’m committed to creating media that showcases Asian women in all their complexity, moving far beyond the tired stereotypes.

Right now, I’m in pre-production for a new short film I’m writing, directing, and producing — working title “Zugzwang.” It’s a psychological thriller about an ambitious gallery assistant trying to rise through the ranks by securing a queer artist — only to find herself caught in a web of manipulation and power dynamics. The story is loosely inspired by my own experiences working in the art world, and at its core, it grapples with a universal question: What parts of ourselves are we willing to sacrifice in the pursuit of success?

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

First, I think learning to trust your instincts is everything.
Growing up, there’s always so much noise around us — people telling you what you should do, who you should be. Some of it might be wise advice, sure, but at the end of the day, no one knows you better than you know yourself. And you’re the only one who has to live with your choices. As I got older, I learned to listen to that small inner voice. Some of my best decisions didn’t come from overanalyzing every pro and con — they came from that gut feeling that just knew. I really believe learning to cultivate and trust your instincts is one of the most important things you can do, both personally and professionally.

Second, tenacity. There were moments when life felt like a complete mess — rejections, setbacks, doubts. It’s so easy to lose confidence. But I learned that sometimes, all you need is to hang on a little longer than you think you can. My first job in the industry was intense — long hours, fast-paced, super demanding. I thought about quitting so many times. But some part of me just told me to stay, to see it through a little longer. Looking back, I’m really grateful I listened to that stubborn part of myself, because that experience taught me more than I ever could’ve imagined.

Finally, the ability to let go. Not everything is going to go your way — and that’s okay. When that happens, I try to remind myself: failure isn’t the opposite of success — it’s just part of life. It’s just another experience. When I let go of what I can’t control, I make space for better things to come.

So if I had to sum it up for anyone starting out:
Listen to yourself. Stay tenacious when it matters. And don’t be afraid to let go when you need to.

Any advice for folks feeling overwhelmed?

When I feel overwhelmed, I try to zoom out and ask myself a few simple questions:
– Is this really as scary as it feels?
– Will this decision ruin my life if I mess it up?
– Will the world end because of this mistake?

The answer is always no. And once I realize that, a lot of the fear just melts away. I can tap back into my confidence and move forward.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://renyiqi.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coldgasoline/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/renyiqi/