BORN and raised in Shenzhen, Yi Li, who was born after 1985, directed her first movie, “Environmental Protection Guardians,” at the age of 24.

    With her first microfilm, “Assassins,” Yi won the best director award at the 2nd Canadian International Microfilm Festival and was nominated for an award at the Paris International Youth Short Film Festival.

    Yi just established her own film production company in Beijing. “Shenzhen is an energetic and enthusiastic city, and it inspires me to become a woman of action,” she said.

    Yi’s parents both work in the financial industry, but she chose not to follow their paths. She became a singer at the age of 18 and continued seeking her artistic passions at the Communication University of China.

    In her first film she took charge of most of the production — writing, directing, producing, and starring in the film.

    “I am just a woman seeking my own dream. I will continue to work hard in the industry to reach my goals,” she said. (Wang Yuanyuan)