Writer and director Shuyao Chen: The esteemed force of cross-cultural queer cinema

Shuyao Chen is an accomplished filmmaker, writer, and filmmaker who is taking cross-cultural queer cinema by storm. This hardworking and passionate person has many stories to tell and we are here to watch as he creates them one by one. From humble beginnings in Wenzhou, China, Chen emerged to rock the sea of ​​global cinema.

Chen has created exceptional, award-winning films that effectively blend Eastern and Western sensibilities. She is not only introducing the world to LGBTQ+ stories from China, but she is also redefining the role of a filmmaker as a bridge between different cultures.

Chen’s first short film, Winter near the river, has been selected by several major film festivals, including the New York Asian Film Festival, an important platform for showcasing Asian cinema in North America. The festival celebrates the rich diversity of Asian cinema, bringing together a wide range of genres, styles and cultural perspectives, and the Berlin Film Week in Short Shorts 2022, a leading event within the international short film community bringing together filmmakers, professionals of the industry and directors. enthusiasts to celebrate the art of the short film, where it won the award for best short film at Berlin Film Week. Chen’s second short performed equally well.

Agreement was recently released and almost immediately selected by the Hamburg International Queer Film Festival, Germany’s largest and oldest queer festival. The screenplay was also selected as one of three finalists for the Cary Fukunaga Production Award in 2021, prior to the film’s release. ShortsFit specializes in promoting and distributing short films globally and showcasing films at prestigious festivals, providing filmmakers a platform to reach diverse audiences and showcase their unique cinematic creations.

During his journey, Chen learned some valuable lessons. To help her thrive as a director, she has realized that her ego and pride have no place in her life: there is only room for purpose. Chen has learned to work solely with the motivation of sharing stories and making them heard, seen and understood, instead of being carried away by vanity. This is what sets her apart from other writers and directors in a notoriously selfish industry.

According to Chen, vanity is “a trap built into the structure of this industry,” which is why he works hard to ensure that the themes of his work take priority over everything else. This honorable approach has earned him respect and created a loyal following. The strange, cross-cultural stories Chen tells influence society, one pair of eyes and ears at a time.

Chen aims to preserve curiosity and hunger through his inspiring work. By avoiding distractions that might distance her from these essential qualities, she has the ability to truly immerse the audience in the worlds and perspectives of her characters. She strives to understand and embrace the nuances of her characters, making a conscious effort to sustain the stories she tells authentically and passionately.

You can follow Shuyao Chen on his Instagram page to see what he’s working on. After seeing his previous work, we’re ready to see more. With filmmakers like her in the industry, we can all access meaningful films that touch our hearts and enhance our perspective, instead of being bombarded with ego-driven pieces. With tact, integrity and determination, Chen is helping to reform the film industry, one masterpiece at a time, and we are proud to be part of her audience. You become part of her loyal fans by watching her work and following her today.