A director’s role is a varied one, it begins with understanding the script and continues through every stage of the production. From the inception of a project to its final cut, the director’s fingerprints can be seen throughout. For a film or series to be successful, it must captivate the audience through compelling storytelling and striking visuals. Crucial to this process is a director with a clear vision, a creative leader such as Yinghui Li.
Born and raised in China, Li has established herself in the American film and television industry, showcasing her work in film festivals worldwide and earning critical acclaim. Beyond her dedication to crafting high-quality content, she is passionate about championing feminism through storytelling. Her films possess a raw, visceral, and immersive quality, drawing audiences into cinematic explorations of identity, womanhood, and transformation.
Li’s filmography spans a diverse range of genres, including comedy, horror, thriller, and romance, each demonstrating her artistic versatility. Her most outstanding achievement to date has been Slobopoly, a web series pilot with great success in its festival circuit. It has been awarded “Best Comedy Series” by the Television Academy Foundation and earned top honors at multiple festivals, including “Best Web Series” at the 2024 Myrtle Beach International Film Festival and “Outstanding Pilot or Series” at the 2024 Short. Sweet. Film Fest, among the 15 festivals where it was showcased.
Serving as a proof of concept, Slobopoly tells a heartwarming story about the strength and resilience of ordinary people in a lighthearted tone. The narrative follows a grumpy hermit who, after being bribed to run for mayor, must step out of her comfort zone to protect her trailer park from destruction and reconnect with a long-lost community. The pilot’s short run time does not diminish the impact of the storytelling, as viewers are immediately drawn in, rooting for this grumpy yet endearing woman. Director Yinghui Li captivates the audience through engaging performances and stunning visuals, taking them on the journey of the protagonist while leaving them eager for more.
Slobopoly is far from Li’s first production—she has refined her craft across various mediums. Her work has appeared on the big screen as well as on smartphones through her multiple vertical series which have garnered millions of views worldwide. Like Slobopoly, her projects are centered around storytelling through a female perspective, a driving force that shapes her career in a profound way.
(Photo by Tony Zamarripa)
Drawing inspiration from those who came before her, she cites Julia Ducournau as one of her favorite female filmmakers. Li’s own style was shaped by the initial shock she felt while watching Ducournau’s Palme d’Or winning film Titane. The way Ducournau’s films dove into the genre of body horror influenced her short films Peeling Off and Pleasure which tickle every nerve in the body.
Peeling Off follows the journey of a woman seeking sanctuary as her body undergoes an irreversible transformation. The film draws the viewers into a visceral and captivating story about self-discovery, enhanced by striking visuals and rich symbolism. Peeling Off has been officially selected in the 2025 Garden State Film Festival, the 2025 Austin Lift-Off Film Festival, and the 2024 Chicago Horror Film Festival.
In Pleasure, Li delves into the complex interplay between pain and pleasure through the perspective of a young woman who unexpectedly discovers an unusual trigger for pleasure. The film has also garnered critical recognition, receiving official selections at multiple festivals, including the 2024 FilmQuest, the 2024 Vienna International Film Awards, and the 2024 Los Angeles Film Awards.
With her works like Peeling Off and Pleasure, Li is bearing the flag for the next generation of exceptional female filmmakers. In an industry that has been dominated by men and the male gaze for too long, she believes in the importance of storytelling through a feminist lens. She emphasizes now is the time for female filmmakers to build upon those who have paved the way for them and uplift each other’s voice.
Li is also the director of a few vertical series that showcase the female perspective in storytelling. Her first vertical series, Recipe for Faking a Marriage, has surpassed 40 million views on the ReelShort app. She also directed The Nurse’s Secret Marriage and Ms. Detective and Mr. Thief, both further solidifying her innovative approach to storytelling in the vertical format. These female character-driven and romance-focused projects are significant milestones in the burgeoning career of Yinghui Li and serve as a testament to her artistic versatility as a director. She strives to amplify women’s voices through her storytelling, crafting narratives that deeply resonate with female audiences.
Building on the legacy of the female filmmakers who came before her, Li continues her journey with confidence and purpose. She is dedicated to telling stories that evoke deep emotions and champion feminism. She is a storyteller and creative leader who never stops innovating and pushing the boundaries of cinematic expression. With each new project, Li continues to refine her voice, experimenting with new storytelling styles and techniques to create projects that leave a lasting impact on audiences worldwide.
(Photo by Yiran Chen)