Shiyu Wang

Having graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Finance and Marketing in Thailand, I came to Washington DC to pursue a master’s degree in film in 2013. After my graduation, I was hired by the Mayor’s Office of Washington DC as Community Outreach Specialist, acting as the bridge between the DC Chinese Community and the government. Part of my responsibilities included helping to solve the government-related issues of DC’s Chinese population, maintaining a close relationship with embassies, Chinese related NGOs, local Asian professionals and entrepreneurs, and handling incoming and outgoing calls dealing with China and the Chinese population.

For the past four years, I have also been the Director of Programming for the DC Chinese Film Festival. In order to make sure the content of the festival is not only artistically satisfying but also financially viable, I have to constantly maintain awareness of mainstream and arthouse film market trends in both America and China. In addition to being in charge of writing and designing the festival program,I also have been responsible for contacting international distributors for screening rights, establishing and maintaining contact with filmmakers, jurors, and VIPS, managing film submissions and scoring systems, coordinating international and domestic travel arrangements and hotel accommodations, international and domestic print trafficking, and venue liaison including testing screeners and media files. Meanwhile, I work closely with the marketing team to determine marketing strategy, including social media campaigns, local and international promotional events, and marketing material distribution locations and timelines.

The DC Chinese Film Festival is a nonprofit organization fully run by volunteers on a very limited budget and staff.As a result, I’ve had to take on responsibilities that encompass more than just programming. Writing fundraising proposals, researching grants and designing pitch materials also became an integral part of my job. I have represented our festival committee in Shanghai, Beijing and LA, meeting with potential partners and sponsors. With my help, the festival grown has from a local student event to a professional international independent film festival that is well known by many indie/arthouse directors and film companies in China.

I am knowledgeable and articulate about the art of film, including history of European cinema, history of documentaries, art house and independent cinema, notable directors and movements, as well as film theory, I also understand the American and Chinese film industries and production process, as well as the significant differences between them. I am fluent in both Mandarin and English. I have an international background, permanent residency in the US, and I am willing to work hard and learn as much as I can.