Beyond the Frame | AFCT Outstanding Graduate Interview Series 5

In this era of light, motion, and imagination, graduates from the Academy of Film and Creative Technology at Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University are stepping boldly onto the global stage.

With creativity and determination, they have secured offers from some of the world’s leading art and media institutions— including University of Cambridge, Columbia University, University of Cambridge, the American Film Institute, Chapman University, Loyola Marymount University, University of the Arts London, Glasgow School of Art, School of Visual Arts, Goldsmiths, Teesside University, the London School of Economics and Political Science, University College London, University of Edinburgh and the University of Manchester, and more—spanning fields such as film production, animation, game design, communication and cultural studies, interaction design, and computer arts.

In the Beyond the Frame interview series, we feature outstanding students from our four key programmes: Digital Media Arts, Filmmaking, TV Production, and Arts, Technology and Entertainment.

How did they find their paths, shape their portfolios, and win global recognition? The stories of their growth and choice are waiting to be discovered.

1. Yue Ren

Q&A：

• What inspired you to choose this programme in the first place?
• I think the first prerequisite for choosing every programme must be love and longing. At that time, I thought there was mystery behind the screen, so out of love and curiosity, I chose to explore this programme.
• In your view, what stands out the most about your programme? Any favourite modules or lecturers?
• What I remember very well is that after entering the academy, we could experience all the roles in the filming process, so that we could quickly find out what we preferred and what we were good at. I think what helped me the most was Ms. Ge Yao's producing class in my junior year. Looking back at that time, she brought us into professional filming teams for “real-world” training and each class was full of production knowledge, this kind of industry-teaching integration teaching mode made me grow up quickly as a beginner in the industry, so I am very grateful to meet her in my undergraduate years.
• Could you share some tips or reflections on your postgraduate application journey?
• Application season is a ‘marathon’, it's just that we went through it so it's not painful to look back on. I think the most important thing is to plan ahead! Plan ahead the timeline for submitting your application, determine what you need to accomplish at each point in time, prepare your portfolio in advance, and mock interviews in advance. In addition, I think that each portfolio should be a three-dimensional presentation of personal artistic vision, so do not blindly pursue the technical pile, the expression of self is more important.
• What are your academic or career plans for the future?
• I anticipate completing my MFA studies at Columbia University by 2028, with the ultimate goal of shepherding a compelling cinematic project from script development through post-production to final distribution. This endeavor will allow me to craft narratives that authentically articulate my artistic vision.
• Sum up your four years at XJTLU in three key words – and don’t forget to share a piece of advice for your juniors!
• Collaboration: After entering AFCT, I think it essential to know how to cooperate with people and find long-term partners. I was very lucky to meet two “comrades” in the second year, and from the 108 small assignments to the thesis film, we have created a lot of projects together, and our cooperation has become more and more tacit and efficient.

  Innovation: I believe many of you have your favorite director in the early stages of filming, trying to find and imitate his shots and style, replicating similar plots and rhythms. This will of course lead to progress, but I would say please believe in yourself, find more inspiration around you and don't stick to paradigmatic expressions in order to be innovative and breakthrough.

  Self-discipline: In the past few years, I have learned "Never put off till tomorrow what you can do today." I don't really ask myself to do that in life, but for work and study, I don't put off until tomorrow what I can do today because time is money in the movie industry.

2. Qinyao Shen

Q&A：

• What inspired you to choose this programme in the first place?
• Really, really like art! Let's learn together!
• In your view, what stands out the most about your programme? Any favourite modules or lecturers?
• I think the best feature is the freedom. Whether it's an in-class or extra-curricular project, you can get support from your teachers for whatever you do. As this journey of discovery comes to a temporary end, I am a little bit closer to the ideal person I want to be.

  My favorite teacher has to be my fyp advisor, Prof. Alvaro Collar. His post class made me fall in love with film and post. No matter what kind of questions I asked during the course of my studies, he was always very patient in answering them. It was also under his influence, I grew from an unsocial person to a good socializer. When I was doing my graduation design, honestly, what I wanted to do was not actually in his field of study, and even some of our views were opposite. However, he was very accommodating, and willing to take the initiative to come to understand my interests and my ideas, discussing them with me sincerely and giving his views and suggestions. This process has benefited me a lot.

  My favorite course was CAT301TC. In this course, I had the privilege to work with PD Zhonghao Chen to take the lead in curating the graduation exhibition of 2025ATE/AFCT. In this process, I was able to put into practice many of the theories of narrative, curation, and user experience design that I had learned in previous courses. Multi-departmental collaborative work with PS, TMO/TECH, UMC, CMO, and PMO has very efficiently practiced my communication skills; the process of leading the best ATEers to do the job has also practiced my leadership and emotion management skills. I think there is no other programme in the university that gives so much authority and opportunity to the students. ATE's excellent curriculum design system helps us to grow up and become a better person.
• Could you share some tips or reflections on your postgraduate application journey?
• Although I have participated in many extracurricular projects and activities, I feel that the most important thing is the grades. I think it's enough to have relevant experience in these projects and activities, and actually grades are still the main focus when it comes to applying. So unless it's a project that you're really interested in, don't get too distracted with it. It's important to do well on assignments and study independently outside of class. Youtube and Bilibili are both great websites for learning after class. My friends and I with high GPAs received offers within a few days of applying, without waiting a long time.
• What are your academic or career plans for the future?
• I would love to contribute something to education in the future. But let's get my master's degree first.
• Sum up your four years at XJTLU in three key words – and don’t forget to share a piece of advice for your juniors!
• Explore, Practice, Introspect

  Advice: Getting enough sleep and being healthy is most important

3.Ge Gao

Q&A：

• What inspired you to choose this programme in the first place?
• I think TV Production is highly practical and is a major that can provide great help for my future employment and development. Moreover, I myself have a strong interest in variety shows and other film and television works.
• In your view, what stands out the most about your programme? Any favourite modules or lecturers?
• I think in the study of TV Production, I can form a very strong bond with my classmates in group cooperation. I think the most interesting course is FTA205 taught by Yijun Guo. In this course, we learned how to operate and shoot live show in the studio.
• Could you share some tips or reflections on your postgraduate application journey?
• I think when applying for master, it's not necessary to be confined to a major that is highly related to your undergraduate major. You can try more diverse majors to provide more possibilities for your future employment.
• What are your academic or career plans for the future?
• I will continue my studies as a postgraduate student and look for internship opportunities during this period to lay the groundwork for future employment.
• Sum up your four years at XJTLU in three key words – and don’t forget to share a piece of advice for your juniors!
• DDL, Companionship, Touched

  I believe everyone has a deep understanding of DDL. However, after completing the last deadline of my fore year, I felt more reluctant to part with my friends and school than to relax and be happy. They have accompanied me through countless days and nights. Therefore, I hope everyone can cherish and enjoy every moment of these four years.

   

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4.Yifu Ma

Q&A：

• What inspired you to choose this programme in the first place?
• I love games and animation, I love the combination of art and technology, Digital Media Arts allows me to incorporate technical means in creative expression, to realize the idea of game design, which is the original intention of my choice of this major!
• In your view, what stands out the most about your programme? Any favourite modules or lecturers?
• Digital Media Arts combines art and technology, learning both creative content such as design, animation, and filming, as well as some programming and digital tools to train us to use modern technology to make creative works, such as interactive installations, short films, games, and so on.

  The most interesting course for me was Motion Design taught by Ms. Yang Liu in my junior year of university. In this course, I learned not only the use of modeling software, but also how to design the character's movement and the process of building a 3D scene.
• Could you share some tips or reflections on your postgraduate application journey?
• Prepare your language test and portfolio as early as possible. You can try to use different software for your portfolio, so that you can show your ability to use various software. Try to apply in the first batch, and then you can apply to both comprehensive programmes in general universities and specific programmes in art universities. This will give you more choices when choosing a university at the end of the process.
• What are your academic or career plans for the future?
• I will go to Goldsmiths College to complete my master's degree, and then I may consider the possibility of applying for a PhD depending on the situation.
• Sum up your four years at XJTLU in three key words – and don’t forget to share a piece of advice for your juniors!
• University is a good opportunity to discover self-interests and prepare for the profession, try more different directions and find what you really like; learn self-management and plan your time in advance; collaborate and communicate with your classmates more often, and you can learn a lot outside the classroom in team projects.

Our heartfelt thanks go to all the students who generously shared their journeys in this feature. Your honesty, courage and creativity are truly inspiring—and will surely light the way for many more to come.

As you move forward from XJTLU to the world, may your talents and passions continue to flourish.

Here's to bold dreams, new chapters, and ever-growing brilliance—beyond the frame.

Contributed by Yuqi Liu

Edited by Wenzhen Li