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Emily Ong Shuyi
Skills & Strengths
Directing Talent & Crew
Poster Design
Presentation & Pitch Design
Social Media Content
Project & People Management
Collaborative Working & Problem Solving
Research & Writing
Stills Photography
Education
2019 - 2022
Arts University Bournemouth
BA Film Production
First Class Honours (Cinematography)
BA Film Production
First Class Honours (Cinematography)
2016 - 2018
Sunway University
Diploma in Performing Arts (Film & Theatre)
Diploma in Performing Arts (Film & Theatre)
Experience
My UK directorial debut Abantu—同人 (2022) was selected for the BAFTA qualifying Aesthetica Short Film Festival in 2023. My latest short, My Sister is a Butterfly (2024), will be screening at BAFTA and Oscar qualifying, Raindance Film Festival 2025. I've begun establishing myself as an independent director after a decade of nurturing my craft through multiple creative roles in self-starting independent projects with various collaborators. My
My upcoming projects include Folded, a short film in development directed by Tong Fung Chuar , a poetry film in collaboration with Tyreece Asamoah in post, and a feature length script in its writing stage.
After years of designing posters for student showcases and films, I took my skills to the next level by designing and managing start-to-finish crowdfunding campaigns and social media content, preparing extensive pitch documents, press packs and two official posters for Black & White Duppy (2023). I have since designed and managed artwork for projects such as My Sister is a Butterfly and As Peckham As. This includes treatment decks, film and event posters, social media content and marketing.
Community : Minoritised Network, 2021-2022
As a student in Bournemouth I established the Minoritised Network, one of the only community spaces focused on the wellbeing and visibility of Global Majority students during its time.
With the support of a grassroots committee, we cultivated critical spaces and facilitated connection and exchange through social practices such as symposiums, potlucks and mixers. I sought to bring systemic change to my university and those principles continue to develop in my creative practice.
Throughout university I shot the award-winning shorts, Motherland (2020) and This Land is All Mine (2021), both of which have screened at London Short Film Festival. In my second year, I co-produced, shot and art directed the independent film Black & White Duppy (2023), the largest production I've accomplished thus far. Other credits include BIFA qualifying Brighton Rocks selected short, As Peckham As (2024) and Call to Order (2024).
Internship : Dain Said & Nandita Solomon, 2018
Intern and Art Department on ‘Iman Untuk Bulan’ Telemovie Production. Apparat Sdn Bhd. KL, Malaysia.
After 10 days on set of the company's telemovie, Iman Untuk Bulan, as an Art Assistant, I began a 3-month internship at Apparat Sdn Bhd under the guidance and mentorship of veteran independent Malaysian filmmakers, Dain Iskandar Said and Nandita Solomon. I assisted in day to day tasks such as location and script research, pitch deck preparation, logging footage and drafting letters and occasionally joining shoots as a videographer and editor.
I remain in good relations with the APPARAT team and joined them on their recent documentary shoot 'Jom, CM!' funded by FINAS about the history of Pasar Seni and its surrounding areas.
Workshop : Imagica SEA x Tokyo University of the Arts, 2017
Participant. Pinewoods Studios, Johor, Malaysia.
During a week long intensive cinematography workshop, I had the privilege of being mentored by the legendary Japanese cinematographer, Katsumi Yanagijima who despite my lack of technical knowledge at the time, acknowledged and encouraged my vision as a filmmaker. I also met filmmakers from all over South East Asia, some of whom are now award-winning independent directors who I still consider friends.
Filmography
