Oliver Yan was born and raised up in Shanghai. He graduated from his first university in 2002 which studied physics. He made his first short film R that is no dialogue in 2008, screening in Cannes Film Festival short film corner and won Best Foreign Short Film in Washougal international Film Festival that year. In 2011, He wrote, directed, shot, edited and produced his first experimental feature Flipping (68mins) won Best Foreign Feature and Best Screenplay (nominated) in 2012 Madrid International Film Festival. Oliver’s third short film The Help (15mins)which he wrote, directed and produced won the Award for Best Director in World Film Awards and Best Screenplay in Los Angeles New Wave International Film Festival. and got couples of nominees including Best Foreign Short Film, Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Supporting Actress in many international film festivals like as European Independent Film Festival, World Art Film Festival 2014. His new movie HOME AWAY has won Best Picture, Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, Best Cinematographer, Best Lead Actor, Best Editor in NYC Indie Film Awards 2017. Won Best Original Screenplay and nominated as Best Picture, Best Director, Best Cinematographer, Best Lead Actor, Best Supporting Actress in 2017 New York City International Film Festival. Won Best Picture, Best Director, Best Cinematographer, Best Lead Actor, Best Supporting Actor in Los Angeles Film Awards 2017. Won Best Original Screenplay for Foreign Language Film in 2017 May International Filmmaker festival of World Cinema Nice. Nominated as Best Director in Foreign Language Film, Best Foreign Language Film, Best Actress in a Foreign Language Film in 2017 July Madrid International Film Festival. On May 2019, Oliver Yan won Best Director in Florence Film Awards. On July 28th, 2019, Oliver Yan won Best Screenplay and Osaka Governor's Award for "Home Away" in Kadoma International Film Festival. It was our pleasure to interview him regarding his latest film.
How did you start making films and what was the first film project you worked on?
My film career starts from making short film. My first short that name is called R which is 7 mins, no dialogue. It costed 700 USD.
What genre of filmmaking fascinates you as a filmmaker and why?
Drama, History
What is the most challenging aspect of being an independent filmmaker in the film industry?
Timing
How difficult is it to fund indie films?
Very difficult.
Please name three of your most favorite directors. How have they been influential in your work?
I will give you four. Joel Coen, Ethan Coen, Stanley Kubrick, Christopher Nolan
What inspired you to work on Home Away and how did the film go into production?
It’s based on the true event in Shanghai.
This local news inspires me and then I wrote synopsis. It all starts from a blank paper.
How did you find the cast and the crew of the film? Tell us more about the production of the film and working on the set of the film to create this feature.
I got my filming team. The scenes you watched in Movie are real locations.
We shot Home Away in 14 days in Shanghai.
What do you recommend to other filmmakers regarding the distribution of independent feature films?
Don't choose easy way. It’s YOUR FILM! You should use your own way to complete it.
What is your next film project and what are you currently working on?
It’s a secret and we are working on the script part.
Why do you make films?
A movie is just like a window that leads to self-consciousness.