Ricky Qi

Ricky is an award-winning filmmaker, photographer, and National Geographic Explorer. Deeply passionate about our collective history and heritage and the underlying currents that move and shape them, Ricky is known for compelling stories of individuals and communities caught in the larger currents of the times.

Over the last decade, Ricky has explored some of the most remote corners of the world, documenting traditional cultures as they adapt to the pressures of our increasingly interconnected society. These experiences have defined his journey as an artist and storyteller and continue to inspire him to discover and tell stories that chronicle the human condition in its unending depth, passion, and complexity. His films have been recognized and awarded by the Academy Award qualifying Hawaii International Film Festival and Chinese American Film Festival, and his images have been featured on publications such as National Geographic, NPR, as well as at the Forbidden Palace Museum in Beijing.

In addition to his film work, Ricky is an accomplished speaker and writer, presenting for National Geographic, TEDx as well contributing to The China Project, a news and information platform dedicated to reporting on China without fear or favor. In his spare time, Ricky enjoys surfing and fly fishing.