Wang Ying 王瓔
Director, writer, producer, co-cinematographer
Filmmaking was Ying’s childhood fantasy that she never thought would turn into something real. Growing up in China in the pre-digital era, Ying became a journalist and photographer, and moved to Canada in her late 20s.
When her younger sister developed a mental illness after immigrating to North America, Ying was driven to tell their story and directed her first feature Sisters as a self-taught filmmaker. The World is Bright is Ying’s second film tackling the topic of immigration and mental health from a broader sociocultural perspective.
As a migrant navigating multiple cultures, Ying is captivated by stories that highlight the geopolitical complexities of global migration. She is currently completing her new documentary, The Border, with support from the British Columbia Arts Council, and is in pre-production for her second dramatic feature, One Man City.
Ying’s credits as a filmmaker also include producing Tricks on the Dead: The Story of Chinese Labour Corps in WWI, a Canada-China-France co-production that won two 2016 Canadian Screen Awards and the 2015 Vancouver International Film Festival Audience Must See Award.
While making the documentary, in 2007, Ying co-founded Cinevolution Media Arts Society in Richmond, British Columbia. Under her leadership, Cinevolution has grown into one of the most promising arts organizations in metro Vancouver.