Aihui Dong is an accomplished International Producer, Creative Advisor, and Curator with 18 years of experience connecting the creative industries of the East and West. His career is distinguished by his extensive work in film and digital media production, making him a highly relevant voice for evaluating excellence in video and television.

Aihui has produced and directed 23 film projects, including narrative features, Documentaries, shorts, and immersive VR films. His work has been recognized with screenings and nominations at premier international film festivals, including the Berlinale, Warsaw, Busan, and SXSW. This hands-on production experience provides him with a deep, practical understanding of the entire creative process, from concept and storytelling to technical execution.

As a visual artist, his work in digital video, installation, and performance art has been exhibited globally at prestigious venues including the WRO Media Art Biennale, Moscow Museum of Modern Art, and the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. This background gives him a sharp eye for the craft categories, including directing, editing, sound design, and overall production value.
Crucially, Aihui is a veteran juror. He has served on the judging council for the Telly Awards, in addition to other notable creative competitions like the Shorty Awards, Webby Awards, Cannes TV Media Awards and the A’Design Awards. His experience as a lead awards advisor and PR strategist has enabled creative talent to gain recognition at major awards, demonstrating his keen insight into what constitutes award-winning work. His own accolades include the Advanced Imaging in Motion Award and a Webby nomination, further cementing his status as a respected figure in the digital arts and sciences.

How many years have you been a judge?

1-3 years

What was your first job in the industry? What did it teach you?

I began my career in marketing and distribution, advocating for undiscovered directors at major festivals and award shows. That experience taught me something fundamental: brilliant work rarely finds its audience on its own. It requires a passionate and strategic advocate to forge the right connections and open the right doors.

What do you look for to determine excellence in video?

For me, excellence in film and television is an alchemy where a powerful, resonant story is inseparable from its masterful execution. The technique serves the narrative, and the narrative is elevated by the craft. But beyond that, the truly great works have a singular voice: they challenge, move, or provoke the audience in a way that stays with you long after the credits roll.

What are your current roles and responsibilities and what do you love most about your job?

My work as a producer, creative advisor, and curator has always been cross-disciplinary and international. At its core, it is built around a single mission: to serve as a conduit between the creative ecosystems of the East and West. My deepest passion lies in discovering singular talents and helping their work break through onto the global stage.

What initiatives or projects are you working on now that excite you?

The project that consumes my focus now is a feature documentary, five years in the making, which investigates the profound survival challenges faced by indigenous communities in the wake of new environmental policies. What excites me is that we are not only tackling a complex and urgent story but are doing so with a cinematic language designed to be truly immersive, moving beyond traditional documentary forms.