Sylvia moved to New York City propelled by her ambitions as an artist. After a tumultuous struggle to find work and inspiration in the big city, she loses all traction when she is abruptly fired from her job. Soon after, Sylvia returns to her hometown of Austin, TX to attend a friend’s wedding. In Austin, Sylvia is comforted as she reconnects with old friends. On the night of her arrival, Sylvia meets Esteban, an electrifying stranger. Charming and vivacious, he reveals his adventurous, unorthodox life. He is about to embark on a road trip, and dares her to leave with him. Eager for a careless adventure, Sylvia agrees. On the morning of the wedding, they speed off toward the jewel cities of the Deep South. As the road grows long and Esteban’s mysterious past comes into light, Sylvia must face the ultimate challenge - to find the strength to fight for her place in the world and stand tall.
Li Lu is an award-winning filmmaker residing in Los Angeles, CA. She was born in Suzhou, China, and her family moved to the United States when she was five. Daughter of two physicists, Li discovered her passion in visual mediums - first through photography, then ultimately into filmmaking. Raised on all three coasts and graduating high school in Sugar Land, TX, Li received her BA from the University of Southern California’s School of Cinematic Arts, graduating cum laude.
Her short films “Autumn” and “Before the Flood” have played festivals around the world such as New York’s Anthology Film Archives, Hong Kong Film Festival, Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival, and others. Her music videos have been shown on Nickelodeon, MTV Asia, and many have surpassed 1 million views online.
“There Is a New World Somewhere” is her debut feature film, and recently won the Grand Jury Prize for Best Feature Film at the Boonies International Film Festival. It has also won the Special Jury Award for Best First Feature at the Las Vegas Film Festival and LA Asian Pacific Film Festival. Her teleplay "Razorhurst," about the seedy underbelly of street gangs in 1920s Sydney, Australia, won the Skyway Film Festival's Grand Jury Award for Best Teleplay and Pitch. Her work has been profiled in the New York Times, IndieWIRE, Bitch Magazine, and Flavorwire.
Besides film, Li creates video/installation art. Her latest video piece is currently on tour with musician Benoit Pioulard.
