Divide Magazine: Issue 12 (2024.12)
FILM DAILY (2025.3)
LAWeekly: Structure As Memory, Silence As Frame - The Cinema of Jinyang Li
The World Is My Oyster
Hi, I’m Jinyang.
I’m a filmmaker and storyteller who’s always been drawn to the quiet stuff. The pauses. The glances. The silences that say more than people mean to. I grew up in Chongqing, studied business in Shanghai (yes, really), and later traded spreadsheets for screenplays when I moved to the U.S. to get my MFA in Film at Ohio University. Somewhere along the way, filmmaking stopped being a hobby and became how I make sense of the world.
I'm a dedicated filmmaker and storyteller, passionate about capturing the intricacies of human experience through the art of cinema. My journey in filmmaking has been a fulfilling adventure, with every project offering new challenges and invaluable growth opportunities. Through film, I navigate the delicate boundary between reality and fantasy, trying to craft immersive and thought-provoking experiences for audiences.
Along the way, I’ve been lucky to have my work recognized by some really thoughtful festivals. Back to the Lake, a short film I wrote, directed, and edited, screened at places like the Toronto International Women Film Festival, Milan Indie Film Festival, and London Women Film Festival. It picked up a few awards I honestly didn’t expect — Best Female Director at the Berlin Short Film Awards, Best Short Film, Best Experimental Film at Beyond The Screen Film Festival, and some lovely nods for editing, design, and direction.
I’ve recently relocated to Los Angeles and am always open to coffee chats, creative conversations, and new chances to collaborate on different stories. Whether it’s something grounded or offbeat, quiet or wild, I’m curious to see where it leads.
I love cats, great sound design, and the very specific joy of a perfectly timed cut. Thanks for stopping by. Take a look around, watch something if you’d like, or send a hello. I’m always happy to talk film or exchange cat photos.