The first two episodes have already achieved milestones:

the first episode River Card, was selected for the short film competition unit at the Bauhinia International Film Festival in Hong Kong;

the second unit, Lily in the Cracks, starring famous Hong Kong actress Irene Wan, wrapped production in late June.

The newly launched third episode  The November Visa,
centers its narrative on the concrete symbol of a "visa," telling a story of the protagonist's struggles between perseverance and compromise, family bonds and self-identity, against a backdrop of turbulent international dynamics and a tight countdown.

At the opening ceremony, director Wang Ziqi said emotionally:
"I believe that in this world, the hardest job is making films."

 She recalled that in 2016, when her directorial debut
Love in the Starry Sky
was nominated for the Best New Director award
at the Shanghai International Film Festival,

she stated:
"In my professional career, everything I have done was to prepare for becoming a film director."

Discussing her creative motivation, Wang Ziqi expressed:

"The essence of an era lies in its culture. The works of artists from every generation—whether Chu Ci, Han Rhapsody, Tang Poetry, Song Ci,
or modern artistic expressions—must capture the life, culture, economy,
 and education of ordinary people in that era.

 I hope that when New York Story is released, every audience member living overseas can see a microcosm of their own life in my work."

She expressed special gratitude for Ji Wang's strong support:

"It is truly difficult for us overseas Chinese to create film and television works. I am deeply grateful to artists like Teacher Wang Ji for lifting up young creators like us."

It is reported that November Visa is directed and written by Wang Ziqi, with Qin Zetong serving as producer.

Zou Jiarui and Wang Ji lead the cast, co-starring
Hunter Duggan  and Zhu Zigang.

The film is scheduled to be shot on location in New York.

With the launch of this third episode,
this ongoing project focusing on the survival and emotional world
of overseas Chinese will open a new chapter.

Nomination
at the
Hong Kong Bauhinia International Film Festival


New York Stories,the highly anticipated film series written and directed by Chinese-American youth director Wang Ziqi, has once again brought exciting news this half of the year. Th second episode, Lilies in the Cracks, starring acclaimed Hong Kong actress Irene Wan, officially announced its selection and nomination for
the Hong Kong Bauhinia International Film Festival.

Lilies in the Cracks stood out among numerous outstanding Chinese and international entries to secure its nomination, a honor that reflects high recognition for the film's top-tier production quality.

 New York Story uses an anthology format to portray the lives, survival, and emotional bonds of modern people living abroad. The second episode Lilies in the Cracks focuses on the Chinese community navigating the bustling metropolis of New York. Beyond exploring issues of identity and cultural belonging among overseas Chinese, the film delves into modern women's self-awakening and redemption amid adversity—transcending geographic and cultural boundaries to strike a deeply resonant chord. It mirrors the reality of many Chinese-American women who, though growing in harsh crevices, retain the inner strength
 to flourish toward the light.

Upon receiving the news, director Wang Ziqi remarked: Lilies in the Cracks is our tribute to all compatriots living overseas—especially those who quietly persevere and relentlessly pursue their dreams through adversity.

 We are deeply grateful for the recognition from the Bauhinia Film Festival organizing committee and hope to pass this warmth and strength
on to a wider audience.

We look forward to achieving even greater success in the future.

Highly Anticipated on the Silver Screen:

 Irene Wan,
Heads to New York in June to Star in
Director Wang Ziqi’s New Film
 Lily in the Cracks
 

In the rolling torrents of our era, how do overseas
 Chinese find a place for their souls and nostalgia?

Celebrated Hong Kong actress Irene Wan (Wen Bixia)
shared major exciting news on social media
:that she will set off for New York
 in mid-June to star in the film Lily in the Chinks.
 

The second installment of the New York Stories film series
—written and directed by young, US-based director Wang Ziqi.
 

Lily in the Cracks
 continues the series' deep focus on the
"struggle and history of Chinese immigrants abroad
under the backdrop of a grand era."

Notably, the series' first installment, River Hand, has been making waves since wrapping up production this April.

It was recently shortlisted for the Short Film Competition unit at the Bauhinia International Film Festival in Hong Kong.

Consequently, the second installment, Lily in the Cracks
naturally carries even greater expectations.
 

Following the shoot, Director Wang Ziqi collaborated closely with a post-production team led by the renowned
Hong Kong supervisor, Mr. Cheng xiao -long,

Working around the clock to meet the final submission deadlines for various 2026 international film festivals, Director Wang frequently consulted with editor Zheng Xipeng deep into the night to refine the cut.
 

We are thrilled to announce that Beyond The River received its first official selection notice today for the
2026 Hong Kong International Short Film Festival.

We look forward to the awards ceremony in Hong Kong this October and hope the film continues to achieve great success on the global circuit.

Director, Wang Ziqi,
Discusses the  Creative Journey as

Beyond the River

 an Artistic Short from the anthology New York Stories
  Prepares for Filming

Recently, the casting call for River Card, a segment of the film
 New York Stories, was held in New York.

The production is scheduled to begin filming on April 11
in New York City.

Beyond the River will be the first independent short film within
 the New York Stories anthology series.

Director Wang Ziqi, shared that after completing the script for
New York Stories in 2023,

she realized that a single feature film could not possibly capture the vast, multi-generational experiences of Chinese immigrants striving for success in New York.

 From restaurant owners and doctors to lawyers, every individual has their own unique New York Story, filled with the "sour, sweet, bitter, and spicy" realities of life in a foreign land.

Driven by this realization, she decided to create a series of different versions of New York Stories.

 Wang Ziqi

A Story of Mutual Redemption

The upcoming film, Beyond the River

 tells the story of mutual redemption between a professional female Chinese Texas Hold'em player and a second-generation
Chinese-American police officer.

To authentically portray the struggles and triumphs of Chinese immigrants across generations, the production has cast

Wang Zaozao
 

Ms. Wang Zaozao as the female lead.

Background:
A graduate of Columbia University.

Current Roles:
Active in New York’s educational and cultural sectors, serving as a board member for several American private schools and as
the Director of Affairs for the American Philharmonic Orchestra.

Connection:
She is also a longtime friend of Director Wang Ziqi.

Su Junan

The male lead, Su Junan, brings a unique layer of authenticity to the project. An actual Senior Inspector, Su is a well-known influencer in New York, affectionately referred to by the local Chinese community as
 Young Master Su.

 Director Wang noted that this casting represents a
 "dream reflecting reality."

Production Highlights

Supporting Cast:

 Interestingly, the three young actors in the film

Jin Mi, Tristin Lew, and Eleven Ge
are all actual students of the lead actress, Wang Zaozao.

Distribution:

The film will be released on major platforms including
 iQIYI, Tencent Video, and CCTV Video.

Awards Circuit:

It will also be submitted to the short film competition units of various domestic and international film festivals.

We look forward to seeing the diverse perspectives of New York Stories and eagerly anticipate the premiere of River Card

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