Jingyu Liu

Founder of Nomadic Studio

Jingyu Liu is an award-winning director and writer whose work has been recognized at A-list and Oscar-qualifying festivals. Her journey is one of passion and bold decisions. Born in the mountains of China, she graduated from one of the country’s top universities before earning a master’s in the U.S. on a fellowship. After building a successful career in engineering, she took a leap of faith at 30—selling her Florida home to fully commit to filmmaking, earning an MFA in Directing from Chapman University. With life experience across China, the U.S., and the UAE, she brings a rich, global perspective and a deep storytelling sensibility to everything she creates.

FILMOGRAPHY & AWARDS

Narrative films and documentaries

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The Weight of Air
Position: Writer / Director
30 minutes, Short film Script, 2025

Log line: A grief man has to choose between pain and artificial happiness.

Nomination & Finalist

Flickers' Rhode Island International Film Festival (Oscar-qualifying) - Finalist

ÉCU - The European Independent Film Festival - Nominee
San Francisco Independent Film Festival - Finalist

Montreal Independent Film Festival - Honorable Mention Best Script
Chicago Women Film Festival - Nominee

Official Selection

Austin Film Festival (Oscar-qualifying)

The Somnium
Position: Co-Writer / Director
16 minutes, Short film 2019. Orange, CA.
Log line: A woman has to choose the life between her mother and her son in the fake reality.

Nomination & Win

Shanghai International Film Festival - Nominee

Los Angeles Film Awards - Honorable Mention Best Director

Official Selection

Cannes short film corner
Toronto Short Film Festival

The Last Lesbian
Position: Writer / Director
28 minutes, Short film 2019. Orange, CA.
Log line: A time-traveling lesbian hijacks a girl’s big day to save the future of queer humanity.

Official Selections

Out on Film Atlanta (Oscar-qualifying)
Mix Copenhagen

Brisbane Queer Film Festival

Shanghai Pride Film Festival

Beijing Queer Film Festival

Los Angeles Chinese Film Festival- LGBTQ virtual showcase

New Zealand Pride Film Festival

Yangon Pride Festival

Westfield International Film Festival

Shallow Grave

Position: Co-Writer / Director
11 minutes, Short film 2016. Orange, CA.
Log line: A farmer buries dead body for gangsters, one incidence triggers his willing to quit but then he finds out there is no way out.

Nomination & Win

Golden Reel Awards - Verna Fields Award for Student Film Makers - Nominee

Los Angeles Independent Film Festival Awards - Best Drama Short

Independent Shorts Awards - Best Narrative Short

The Cafe
Position: Writer / Director
5 minutes, Short film 2020. Yibin, China.
Log line: A girl goes to the past to prevent her father’s death again and again and again.

Awards

Golden Rooster & Hundred Flowers Film Festival Mobile Film Competition - Excellence Award

Huawei New Icon Competition - Gold Award