Jon Stojan
Image: Ke Liu
In filmmaking, the storyteller holds the power to create moments that resonate. A truly unforgettable story doesn’t just entertain—it leaves an emotional mark long after the credits roll.
Ke Liu, a Chinese filmmaker based in New York City, knows how to create films that leave a mark. Her stories combine raw human connection with imaginative twists, like mothers turning into mermaids or strangers traveling through time.
Ke’s films amplify marginalized voices, often through a strong female perspective, and explore the emotional depth that can emerge when working with non-actors. It’s her way of inviting viewers into worlds where reality bends, but the emotional core remains deeply human. Whether it’s her award-winning short films or her viral vertical series, she balances passion and practicality, creating work that resonates on a deeply emotional level.
Growing up in Southern China, Ke always had an eye for discovery. She spent hours drawing, reading, and plotting her own “adventures,” as she called them—like exploring unfamiliar shortcuts on her way home from school.
“What I loved most was exploring—taking different routes home, climbing walls, just to see what I’d find,” Ke recalls. “I think that sense of adventure is what eventually led me to filmmaking. It’s not the easiest career, and it’s definitely not the most stable, but it’s the most fulfilling.”
Her academic journey took her across continents, each step honing her craft. Ke’s formal education began at Minzu University of China, where she studied New Media Arts and learned the foundations of visual storytelling. But she wasn’t content to stay within one creative box. It was her time at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) that expanded her boundaries.
Immersed in experimental filmmaking, Ke explored docufiction, video installations, and avant-garde techniques. Yet, while pushing artistic boundaries at SAIC, Ke realized she wanted to tell broader, more collaborative stories. This discovery led her to Columbia University, where she earned an MFA in Film Directing.
At Columbia, Ke refined her skills in screenwriting and working with actors. New York’s rich artistic scene exposed her to diverse perspectives, sparking her creative evolution. There, she learned to bridge her love for experimental techniques with more traditional narrative approaches—a fusion that has defined her style.
Ke’s ability to turn constraints into opportunities is one of her defining traits. Whether she’s working with a microbudget, scouting locations, or adapting scripts, she finds ways to create stories that feel larger than their production. This resourcefulness is on full display in projects like Same Star Above Usand Never Fear, and You Will Be Lucky. In these films, the places Ke discovered during scouting seamlessly became the world where her stories unfold.
Same Star Above Us premiered at the San Diego Asian Film Festival, receiving acclaim for its depth and relatability, particularly among women. The film earned Liu the NYC Women’s Fund for Media, Music, and Theatre, a prestigious award recognizing underrepresented voices in the industry. After being showcased at several festivals and exhibitions in the US and China, Never Fear, and You Will Be Lucky was released on the online streaming platform CathayPlay.
Ke’s expertise extends beyond directing to editing, a discipline she considers integral to storytelling. One of her career milestones was editing the trailer for Kaili Blues, a film that garnered international recognition at festivals like Locarno Film Festival and Taipei Golden Horse. Collaborating with director Bi Gan deepened her appreciation for the emotional power of editing.
“For me, editing is about uncovering the emotional core of a story and ensuring that each scene serves the overall vision,” she shares. “As a director, I’m committed to editing every film I direct to preserve the project’s integrity. By doing so, I can stay closely connected to the narrative and make creative decisions that align seamlessly with my intent.”
A particularly exciting chapter in Ke’s career is her work with vertical series, a format designed for mobile viewing. Over the past year, she directed eight vertical series and edited one for platforms like Reelshort, ShortMax, and Sereal+, some of which have amassed millions of views.
Vertical series, which often feature medium-budget crews and run times similar to feature films, offer a unique set of challenges and opportunities. For Ke, this format serves as a bridge between short films and feature-length storytelling, allowing her to refine her skills in managing longer narratives while maintaining the intimacy of smaller productions.
Balancing personal projects and commissioned work has been key to Ke’s growth. While her independent films allow her to tell intimate, personal stories, her vertical series projects test her ability to work within specific constraints. This balance not only sharpens her technical skills but also broadens her reach, helping her connect with audiences across different platforms and genres.
Ke’s creative vision draws inspiration from directors like Andrea Arnold and Kelly Reichardt, both known for films that highlight the quiet struggles of everyday life. Arnold’s emotionally raw storytelling and Reichardt’s minimalist approach resonate with Ke, who admires their ability to create deeply impactful films without big budgets or excessive production.
Throughout her career, Ke has sought out opportunities to learn from the best. Working with Bi Gan on Kaili Blues provided her with invaluable insights into the art of storytelling through editing. Interning with Three Body Universe, the production company behind Netflix’s 3 Body Problem, gave her a firsthand look at major productions, further shaping her understanding of the industry.
Ke’s journey is defined by her willingness to push creative and technical boundaries. From her adventurous childhood to her bold educational choices and professional achievements, she approaches each project with the same fearless curiosity that drove her as a child who enjoyed climbing walls and exploring back alleys. Her films, known for blending grounded emotion with imaginative elements, leave a lasting impact on audiences.
Looking ahead, Ke aims to direct her first feature film within the next three years, drawing on her experience with short films and vertical series. She also plans to expand into music videos and commercials, exploring new storytelling formats. In the next decade, Ke envisions a diverse filmmaking career, resonating with global audiences while staying true to the themes and emotions that inspire her.
Ke Liu’s career is built on her love of discovery and the ability to transform even the simplest of stories into something unforgettable. Whether she’s working on an intimate short film or a widely viewed series, her work captures the complexities of human life with imagination and heart. As she continues her creative journey, her audience can only look forward to more stories that challenge and inspire.
