Bridging Hearts, Connecting the World: An Exclusive Interview with Overseas Producer Li Xiaowei

LAPost/Los Angeles (December 5, 2024) – On November 8, the 20th Chinese American Film Festival kicked off in Los Angeles, where overseas producer Li Xiaowei presented his film Ice & Snow: A Love Story. Among over 500 entries, Li’s passion for his hometown and professional expertise stood out, earning the film the “Golden Angel Award for International Communication of Chinese Culture.”

At the festival, Li Xiaowei reflected on how to best convey the spirit of his hometown through film. He emphasized the importance of patience and a deep understanding of emotional storytelling. Ice & Snow: A Love Story tells the romantic tale of a southern girl, Xia Tiantian, who visits the icy city of Harbin for the first time and meets a local young man. The film beautifully showcases the cultural differences between China’s northern and southern regions, with the story unfolding against the breathtaking backdrop of Harbin’s ice and snow landscapes.

Li contributed to the film’s promotion by designing detailed and visually engaging posters, which played a pivotal role in the film’s early publicity efforts.

In October 2024, Ice & Snow: A Love Story also won the top prize, the “Jury Grand Prize,” in the main competition at the 3rd Hong Kong Bauhinia International Film Festival. This achievement highlights Li Xiaowei’s excellence in production and marketing.

Discussing the film, Li brought up its sister project, the documentary Ice Kingdom Builders. This documentary reveals the behind-the-scenes story of Harbin’s iconic Ice and Snow World, a rare success on Western streaming platforms like Amazon. Li expressed his excitement when taking on this project, viewing it as a unique opportunity to showcase a story beloved by both technical audiences and general viewers.

The documentary is among the few to spotlight ice construction workers, blending narrative storytelling with stunning visuals. Crafting the poster for this film presented a significant challenge. Li refined the design multiple times to encapsulate the director’s vision and bring the icy structures to life, ultimately earning praise from seasoned Hollywood professionals.

As a producer focusing on international distribution, Li Xiaowei coordinated domestic promotional tours for Ice Kingdom Builders, ensuring synchronized engagement between global and local audiences. He believes that participating in festivals is an effective promotional strategy, serving as a bridge that connects people and cultures.

At one Asian film festival, the organizing committee created a special documentary screening section to feature Ice Kingdom Builders—the only documentary ever included in the festival’s history.

Li Xiaowei’s efforts extended to submitting Ice Kingdom Builders to film festivals in the U.S., Canada, France, Sweden, Turkey, and Italy. The film won over 20 international awards, further establishing its acclaim.

Both films were shot in Li Xiaowei’s hometown, with most of the crew, including director Qi Binying, also hailing from there. Li takes immense pride in telling his hometown’s stories and showcasing its beauty to the world. This passion drives his commitment to promoting his hometown through film.

As the son of filmmakers, Li Xiaowei concluded by reaffirming his dedication to bringing Chinese films to global audiences. We wish him continued success in his endeavors. (By: Staff Writer/LAPost)