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ZIYU GAO
Writer, Director, and Producer of six short films and one commercial. Actress in three short films.
Founder of Creative Picture productions
Intruders (2024)
Creative Picture Productions
Writer, Director Producer: Ziyu Gao
An independent 5-minute short film about a skilled thief who breaks into a mansion, only to find herself trapped in a deadly game set by a sinister neighbor. As the truth behind the house and its past robberies unfolds, her heist turns into a fight for survival.
Ways of Talking (2024)
USC School of Cinematic Arts
Writer, Director Producer: Ziyu Gao
An independent 5-minute short film about a police interrogation of a young girl about the death of her brother, ultimately revealing unsettling details about the brother's final days.
Everything But (2024)
New York Film Acadamy (NYFA)
Director: Ziyu Gao
Eve (Lead): Marilyn Rescate
In a New York apartment, Eve, 18, struggles with her emotions as she tries to find an escape from her grief. Faced with a difficult decision, she retreats within herself as she attempts to break free from loneliness and the past, embracing another version of her identity.
The Ascent (2024)
USC School of Cinematic Arts
Writer, Director Producer: Ziyu Gao
Pizza Delivery: Jonah Pinsent
A short film about Sam, a cheerful Blaze Pizza delivery driver makes a delivery and encounters a strange elevator terrifying him.
Lost Angeles (2024)
NYU Tisch School of Arts; Film
Director: Yuyang Fang
Lynn (Lead): Ziyu Gao
Stepping onto this new land of New York City, all-time comes around in her head – the past in her hometown and the future she will experience, but she sees as if everything were in Los Angeles, where her old lover has gone.
New York Shorts International Film Festival
10/2024
Official Selection
Joyrider (2022)
SUNY Purchase Film Conservatory
Director: Astrid Dong
Rachel (Lead): Ziyu Gao
When an estranged mother and daughter lose their home and must move into their Chinese restaurant, a young girl (Rachel) learns about her mother’s love, sacrifice, and labor. "Joyrider" is a short film that explores the psychological effects of separation on immigrant families– a separation caused by precarious work and living situations, migration, and globalization.
A bold, self-reliant, simmering young girl who rides a beat-up bike and thinks she’s a cowboy. She is pulled between wanting attention from her hard-working mother and wanting to escape from the life of the restaurant. She is trying to understand what love means on her own terms. She is an outside observer of the effects of precarious work and living situations on her immigrant mother. She is imaginative and enduring and mentally older than she appears.
Click Here To Watch Joyrider Film
Through the Modern Looking Glass (2023)
Digital Art Video
Directors: Tanya Chuturkova Kim E. Wang
Production Assistant: Ziyu Gao
The characters interact primarily through social media, which makes their depression worse as they compare their real lives to the posts of those they follow. Online those characters look like they have it all, but they are also struggling with their own issues.
Released spring of 2024
Elitelink Commercial (2024)
Ziyu Gao Productions
Director: Ziyu Gao
Elitelink Education
Interview-style commercial to promote Elitelink education. Interview multiple teachers at Elitelink about their experience.
ZIYU GAO
Based in New York City, I am a versatile woman in many aspects.
I am a filmmaker, actress, and advocate.
As a director, I've created impactful short films to empower those who feel alone, with a focus on representing women of color. My work has gained recognition from local and international film festivals, including the Los Angeles Film Awards and Independent Shorts Award.
I currently have 2 films in post-production and one in pre-production. I had the pleasure of making five films during a six-week summer program at USC.
Equally in front of the camera, I have graced the silver screen in two distinct films, winning the Roger Reese Award for excellence in acting.
I founded my own production company, Creative Picture Productions this year, to further amplify voices and stories that matter.
I am constantly looking for ways to connect with my community, especially through my nonprofit, Enrich Arts, where I extend my talents to those who might otherwise lack access to such resources. I hope to embody creativity, collaboration, and community impact.