It's award season

Awards don't mean everything, but they can give encouragement to young filmmakers at the start of their careers.

Wang's fourth work, Chasing Shadows, has been shortlisted at this year's Miami Independent Film Festival and Rome Prisma Independent Film Awards.

"I am so honored to be a finalist at these film festivals and feel like my hard work is paying off," said Wang.

"No matter the final result, I am confident in moving forward."

The film premiered at Wang's high school, Beijing National Day School, and he received both positive and not-so-positive reviews from his schoolmates.

Wang said that he was grateful to the audience for taking the time to watch his film, and that all the comments he received – both good and bad – will help make him a better filmmaker.

Wang said he will continue to produce films and draw inspiration from his own stories, adding that he would like to work on pictures dealing with Chinese history and society.

"American stories have been among my favorite subjects. As an outsider I can see a different United States through my lens.

"I truly hope that I can turn the glorious years of China's past into a film in the near future," Wang said.