Justin Réi Ching, known professionally as “Réi,” is a Forbes 30 Under 30 award-winning filmmaker. He is currently developing his second feature film, Shutter Bird (based on the short film of the same name) with The Gotham Film & Media Institute. He most recently directed the upcoming FOX film Death Name. He is also in production on the documentary Merv and the Miracles with Executive Producer and Committee of 100 member Julie Fong. When not on set, he serves as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Southern California. Previously, he served as Supervising Producer for Amazon’s Ritual series.
Connect with Justin on LinkedIn here or on Instagram @justinrching.
Committee of 100: What inspired you to work in your professional field?
Justin: I had a close friend pass away when I was 17, and I turned to filmmaking as a form of art therapy. Then when I was studying at the University of Pennsylvania, the Chairman of Disney Studios discovered me.
Committee of 100: What are some of the challenges you have encountered to become a leader in your respective field? Are Chinese Americans well-represented in your field, and what do you think are the reasons they are/aren’t well-represented?
Justin: Hollywood is tough, period. It’s a constant hustle, a battle against the odds. You’re fighting for funding, for distribution, for your voice to be heard—and honestly—for survival in the form of a living wage. As a Chinese American, there are added layers. There’s the pressure to conform, to tell “safe” stories. There’s the subtle (and sometimes not-so-subtle) bias. You’re often the only one in the room.
It’s no secret that Chinese Americans are not represented nearly enough in media. Beyond historical barriers to access (which is a given), I want to draw your attention to the lack of mentorship and support networks—those aspects our community has the ability to change. We need to tell our stories, but also embrace that those stories are plural and not a cultural monolith.
Committee of 100: What do you believe needs to be done so that more Chinese Americans feel empowered to follow and achieve their dreams?
Justin: Visibility is power. We need to see ourselves reflected not only on screen, but behind the camera, in positions of authority. We need to support each other, create our own opportunities, and mentor the next generation. It’s about building a community, a network, a force. It’s about showing the world that our stories are worth telling, that our voices are essential.
Committee of 100: How can your NGL community support you and your work? Do you have any recent or upcoming projects you’d like to highlight?
Justin: Thanks in part to Executive Producer and Committee of 100 member Wilson Chu, my short film Shutter Bird starring Dallas Liu (Netflix’s Avatar the Last Airbender) will be embarking on an Oscar Campaign. We are fundraising for marketing and publicity costs. Please reach out if you’re interested.
Also my film for FOX, titled Death Name, will release on Tubi in June!
Committee of 100: For those who just recently graduated college or are early in their careers, what advice would you give to them?
Justin: Dare to dream.
