Biography

Shiilā Seok Wun Au Yong (they/them/she/hers) is an innovative filmmaker, educator, and underwater cinematographer. Currently pursuing a Ph.D. fellowship in Cultural Foundations of Education at Syracuse University, Shiilā brings a unique perspective to their/her research. With a Master of Fine Arts in Film from Syracuse University, Shiilā's expertise is further enhanced by their/her experience as a Fulbright grantee. Their/Her areas of interest encompass disability studies, dialogic pedagogy, autobiography, narrative, transnational feminism, and postcolonial studies. Hailing from Malaysia as a third-generation Chinese descendant, their/her passion for filmmaking lies in the art of weaving together fiction and non-fiction elements to tell captivating human stories. Exploring themes of identity, LGBTQ issues, family dynamics, and a sense of belonging, their/her films have garnered recognition at film festivals across Singapore, Philippines, Indonesia, Myanmar, Canada, and the United States. In addition to their/her filmmaking achievements, they/she has also conducted community workshops and taught acting and filmmaking to underprivileged children in Malaysia. Now, their/her focus is on their/her scholarship, utilizing personal narrative and reflexivity as powerful tools for healing and promoting positive change. When not immersed in their/her work, Shiilā enjoys cycling and capturing the beauty of sunsets with her camera phone.