Annine Fan Zhang is a Chinese-English bilingual producer based in Los Angeles. She graduated from American Film Institute (AFI) with an MFA degree in Producing and currently serves as a Creative Producer at ReelShort, where she leads hit vertical mobisodes that have attracted tens of millions of views worldwide.

How many years have you been a judge?

1-3

What excited you about judging for the Telly Awards?

What excites me most about judging for the Telly Awards is the opportunity to engage with such a wide range of creative voices and storytelling formats. The Tellys have always celebrated innovation across platforms, and as someone who works at the intersection of cinematic storytelling and emerging media, I find it inspiring to see how creators are redefining what visual storytelling can be today. I love seeing how creators from different cultures interpret universal themes through their own visual languages. That diversity of perspective is what keeps storytelling fresh and alive.

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

When I was 16, a feature film happened to be shooting right downstairs from my childhood home, and I talked my way into helping as a production assistant. I had no idea what I was doing, but I was instantly hooked. Watching how everyone—from the director to the crew—worked in sync to make something out of nothing taught me how much filmmaking depends on trust, communication, and collective creativity.

What’s the most challenging part about your job and/or the industry?

One of the biggest challenges in my job is balancing creativity with the realities of production. Every project requires artistic vision, but also the discipline to deliver on time, on budget, and within the constraints of a fast-moving platform. In the vertical drama space, where storytelling conventions are still evolving, that balance becomes even more critical.

The industry as a whole is also incredibly fast-paced and competitive. Audiences are consuming more content than ever, so standing out requires not just quality production but a deep understanding of what resonates emotionally and culturally. Navigating these pressures can be challenging, but it’s also what makes producing so rewarding—those constraints push me and my team to innovate, collaborate closely, and find new ways to tell stories that truly connect.

What do you look for to determine excellence in video?

For me, excellence in video is about clarity of vision and emotional impact. Whether it’s a short-form piece or a cinematic narrative, I look for storytelling that feels authentic—where every creative choice, from framing to pacing to sound, serves a clear emotional or thematic purpose. Technical polish matters, but it’s the underlying intent and originality that truly make a project stand out.

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

I’m a Creative Producer at ReelShort, a vertical drama platform redefining how audiences experience cinematic storytelling on mobile. I oversee the creative and production process across a slate of high-performing short-form series, guiding projects from concept and script development through production, post, and release. My role combines creative leadership, narrative development, and hands-on producing—ensuring every story we tell is both emotionally resonant and visually engaging within the vertical format.

What I love most about my job is the challenge of merging artistry with innovation. Producing for a new medium requires rethinking everything we know about pacing, structure, and audience connection. I’m constantly inspired by the opportunity to craft stories that feel cinematic, even within a few minutes of screen time, and to collaborate with global talent who bring fresh perspectives and creative energy to each project.

Our team includes writers, directors, editors, and production managers who work seamlessly across development and execution. Together, we manage the full creative pipeline—from story incubation to release strategy—ensuring that every production maintains the storytelling integrity and production value that meet Hollywood standards. It’s a fast-paced, highly collaborative environment where creativity, precision, and passion drive everything we do.

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

Right now, I’m leading several vertical drama projects at ReelShort, where we’re constantly pushing how cinematic storytelling can adapt to short-form and mobile-first platforms. At the same time, I’m developing feature films and writing short film scripts. I’m also exploring AIGC-based content creation, which I see as an exciting new space for creative experimentation and reimagining the filmmaking process.

In your experience, what is a significant change you are seeing happen in the video, television, and/or film industry, and what insight can you share about how to navigate it?

One of the most significant changes I’ve seen is the rise of short-form and mobile-first storytelling, which is shifting both how stories are told and how audiences engage with content. Platforms and formats are evolving rapidly, and creators are no longer limited to traditional broadcast or theatrical distribution—there’s a new emphasis on agility, immediacy, and audience interaction.

My insight for navigating this shift is to embrace both innovation and fundamentals. While technology and format are changing, the core principles of storytelling—emotion, character, and narrative clarity—remain essential. Producers who succeed in this landscape are those who combine a clear creative vision with flexibility, and who are willing to experiment while staying true to the heart of their stories. Cross-cultural awareness is also critical: audiences are global, and understanding different perspectives can make content more resonant and impactful.