ӣ����Ƶ

Helen Liu, a cinema and media arts major, is confidently making her mark on the film industry, and she has yet to cross the graduation stage. Not only was Liu chosen to be one of three students to direct a Biola University film, which is a film project students participate in to gain real experience in all aspects of film production, but she has also interned in prestigious studios in Hollywood and beyond. Her drive and dedication to learning her craft have brought her to intern with , the and the , known as the Oscars.

“My internship with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences was life-changing,” said Liu. “I met lots of great people in the industry who are passionate about film and care about the rising filmmakers. My internship with the Academy, which was called Gold Rising, provides hands-on experience, one-on-one mentorship with Academy members, exclusive networking opportunities and curated workshops across film production, development and business.”

While interning with the Academy, the program paired Liu with a mentor who happened to be the Academy's former president, Janet Yang. 

“In my first meeting with Janet, I asked her for advice as I was stepping into the industry. She told me never to look up to or look down on people, but to look right at them and see them for who they are, that we are all just people,” said Liu. “I think that advice stayed with me, and it’s something I still carry with me today.”

Her connection with Yang not only provided Liu with expert-level guidance in navigating the industry but also exceptional hands-on experience in the presence of industry greats.

“I got the opportunity to be a production assistant for the 98th Oscars, working closely with Academy leadership, including Academy CEO Bill Kramer and President Lynette Howell Taylor, and supporting high-level production activities throughout Oscars week,” said Liu. “And now, because of my mentorship program with Janet Yang, I was able to be part of Janet Yang Productions [her own production company], learning alongside Janet Yang.”

Drawing on skills from both her internships and classes in the Snyder School of Cinema & Media Arts, Liu wrote and directed her own film about complex family dynamics and reconciliation, producing it as a short film with the help of fellow film students.

“I think one of my most memorable experiences as a film student was directing Biola Film, The Dance Between Us, in my senior year. It took me more than a year from writing to finally come up with a finished product. It was the culmination of what I learned over the past three years. I was able to collaborate with some of the most talented CMA fellow students and was mentored by wonderful professors to bring this project to life. Through this project, I see fingerprints of my beloved professors and the tears, blessings, and prayers that were put into this project,” said Liu.

Before Biola, Liu grew up in China as the adopted child of missionaries and one of eight children. Liu saw documentary crews filming and working around her and her family from a young age, and it was these crews that piqued her interest in pursuing a career in film. As she began considering colleges, Biola became a clear choice for her, especially after receiving a scholarship from a donor couple interested in sponsoring students from China. Because of the generous scholarship, Biola suddenly became a reality for Liu.

“The moment I learned about this news, it felt surreal. I know God works miracles, and I’ve grown up witnessing so many of the ways He has moved in my family’s mission life. But this felt like the biggest miracle I’ve experienced personally because it connected directly to me,” said Liu. “In that moment, I felt God’s care for me more deeply, and I realized how powerful He truly is.”

Now that she is on her way to being a well-equipped film professional, she remembered that it is important to stay true to who she is and her background.

“I think one of the most important skills I learned at Snyder school is to keep my voice as a storyteller. I hope to bring this skill to the industry after I graduate,” said Liu. “I can learn from others, but it’s always important to come back to myself, what my voice is, and where my passion first started.”

Incoming students to the Biola Snyder School of Cinema & Media Arts for Fall 2026 will be the first to populate the new 45,463-square-foot studio facility, which will expand Biola’s existing production facilities with new state-of-the-art equipment and spaces for production, editing, filming, scoring, mixing, color correction, screenings and more. Learn more and apply today to be part of a school committed to equipping students in craft and character.

Written by Sarah Dougher, strategic communication manager. For more information, email sarah.m.dougher@biola.edu.