My name is Neo Shen and I’m a film maker. As an MFA directing major student of Columbia College Chicago, I specialize in screenwriting, cinematography, directing and editing. Over the five years of my career, I have production experience on student short films, TV series, web series, and commercials both in China and America.

Stories I create focus on romance and family values. By putting the characters in heavy situations involving life and death, the topic of unbreakable bond between human beings is discussed in my work. My works also exist to show Asian culture and values in an old-school or historical context.

As a film maker that has been suffering from mental illness, my mission is to provide an emotional escape for people that are struggling in pain like I am. By telling stories centered around characters trapped in dilemmas, trying to make peace with themselves and their be-loved ones, I aim to give my audience strength and hope to face hardship in life. 

Outside of the film world, I’m also a break dancer. My experience in street dance and hiphop culture in both China and America also helps me become a better story teller. Now I’m about to graduate from Columbia and step into the film industry to become the film maker I want to be: always creative, always original, and always hiphop.

Education

Columbia College Chicago

Master of Cinema Directing

Shanghai University of International Business and Economics

Bachelor of Business Administration

Media Elite Film and Television Training Camp

Directing camp, Cinematography camp