Many people come to China drawn by the rapid expansion of technology, the pace of its cities, or the opportunities of a growing economy. Ashleigh Johann Curry-Machado, however, arrived in pursuit of something different: the chance to expand his creative life and discover where it might lead.
Long before China became part of his story, creativity was already an integral part in Ash’s life. Growing up in Southeast London, he spent much of his childhood immersed in theatre acting, and creative curation. He attended various youth theatre organisations, where weekly sessions became a space to develop his creativity and confidence. Surrounded by such opportunities, this became a time defined by growth, and a deep sense of possibility.
When Ash went on to study at the University of St Andrews, his creative focus began to shift. Acting gradually gave way to filmmaking, as he and his friends rented equipment and began shooting films around the town. The environment was vibrant and supportive, offering resources that made creative projects possible, but nothing came easily. Every film depended on initiative and willpower; he recalls waking at 2 a.m. to haul camera equipment up a cliff, determined to capture the sunrise for their vampire movie. Those moments, driven by determination rather than obligation, shaped his understanding of what it meant to commit fully to a creative vision. Alongside filmmaking, Ash served as a curator for the St Andrews Film Festival, which brought directors from around the world to the small university town and gave him access to hundreds of independent films, as well as opportunities to connect with young filmmakers. Later, in London, he worked as a curator at the Young Vic, collaborating with artists and schoolchildren from several local schools to create an exhibition exploring young perceptions of masculinity. Working within one of London’s most vibrant creative spaces showed him how powerfully art can impact people, and how his own creativity could be put to meaningful use. As he prepared to leave for China, the experience filled him with optimism and a sense of purpose.
Ash first came to China in the summer of 2023. In June, he travelled to Beijing for a month, giving himself time to experience the city at his own pace. From the cuisine to the movies, the history to the scenery, he found himself falling in love almost immediately. More than anything, it was the people he met who shaped his experience. Their openness and friendliness were unlike anything he had encountered before. A visit to the National Museum ended with two new friends and a boat trip on Beihai Lake. A climb up Lingshan Mountain led to a shared dinner with a group he met along the way. Each journey reinforced the same feeling he had experienced on his first visit, ultimately motivating him to apply for Yenching Academy. Yenching Academy, offering the chance to turn his dream of living in China into reality, drew Ash with its strong support for independent research and the flexibility it provided to pursue his own interests. Nowhere else, he felt, could offer such a high level of educational resources while also allowing the freedom to explore creatively. Although the UK offered many opportunities, including a Master’s degree at King’s College London, which he ultimately gave up, he believed China would provide a more exciting and fulfilling adventure.
During his time at Yenching Academy, Ash’s connection to China deepened significantly. Beyond travelling and making friends, YCA gave him the space to develop a genuine sense of belonging, not as a visitor but as an active contributor. He began making films in China and winning awards, including the Most Creative Content Creator award within Yenching Global Symposium. He also organised cultural activities that brought together foreigners and locals communities, many of which were attended by Yenching Scholars, and continued working in front of the camera as an actor, including participating in a production of Shakespeare’s play, A Midsummer Night’s Dream in the Jingyuan courtyard of Yenching Academy. In many ways, it felt as though he was bringing together all the creative passions he had developed in the UK and applying them within a new cultural context. Despite the challenges that arouse, he felt the experience was worthwhile, especially as it opened up the possibility of living in China long-term.
One of Ash’s most significant acting experiences during this period emerged through a collaboration with the Beijing Film Academy. He connected with Belgian filmmaker Ludovic after responding to a networking post seeking a filming location. Ash offered his apartment, which ultimately became the primary shooting location for the project. Following their initial meeting, he was cast in a key supporting role as the narrative foil to the film’s protagonist, a writer who has grown overly dependent on artificial intelligence for scriptwriting. The lead actor was AJ Donnelly, one of the most successful foreign actors working in China, known for films such as Snipers, Detective Chinatown 1900, and You Are The Best. The film remains the most professional production Ash has been part of, an experience he looks back on with excitement as he awaits its release.
More recently, Ash has been experimenting with AI filmmaking as it offers the chance to work independently and explore new possibilities without risk. He found the process surprisingly challenging, requiring significant effort to produce work with artistic value however, through experimentation, he began developing workflows that led to interesting projects and opportunities. He was invited to the Shanghai AI Film Festival, where he met artists producing extraordinary work using the same tools he was still learning to master. He later participated in the Runway 48-hour competition, creating a short film with friends over the course of a single weekend. Although proud of their film, he was struck by the quality of the winning entries. These experiences reinforced his belief that AI is only as powerful as the creative vision guiding it. This understanding led to the creation of First Second, a film based on a short story Ash wrote. He modelled the characters on himself and his girlfriend, created the environment and aesthetic, and used AI tools to visualise scenes and animate dialogue. While AI helped bring the project to life, it still required extensive editing to shape a coherent and emotionally engaging story. The film went on to win ‘Best AI Film’ at the Mainframe Film Festival in Beijing, marking both a culmination of his efforts and the beginning of a new creative chapter.
Ash has begun moving into the entrepreneurial sphere by joining Venture Builders (also attended by 10th Cohort Scholars, Lazlo and Silas), a programme that supports foreigners in Beijing in starting businesses through ongoing mentorship, policy support, and pitch competitions. His aim is to establish his own company, Amaurea, as a creative hub for storytelling that connects China and the UK. Building on this momentum, he is now leading his own course under the guidance of Nil Larom, in collaboration with Jerry Verschoor, the foreign expert of School of Software & Microelectronics of Peking University and professional animation artist, who was part of the animation teams behind The Prince of Egypt and The Road to El Dorado. Together, they are developing an AIGC course designed to teach students in Beijing how to use AI creatively to tell meaningful stories. Set to begin after the Spring Festival, the course represents an opportunity for Ash to inspire and guide others to view AI as a legitimate and expressive art form.
Living in China has given Ash access to a rapidly expanding creative industry that is open to new talent and perspectives. He has found the independent filmmaking scene to be collaborative and accessible, with opportunities emerging through initiative and reliability. China has allowed him to secure roles and build professional connections, noticing a strong presence of British creatives within Beijing’s film and acting communities, reflecting a positive cross-cultural exchange. His creative passion also extends into his academic work, reflected in, through the help of Professor Peng Feng, his collaboration with PKU film professors, including the guidance of Professor Peng Feng who advise him as he writes his thesis on Chinese cinema, The Chinese Dream in Chinese Comedy. In this research, he explores how the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021–2025) has shaped comedy not only as a tool for political dissemination, but also as a creative embodiment of the Chinese Dream, rendering its values at familial, societal, and national levels
Looking ahead, Ash is certain that he wants to build his future in China. He is currently applying to PhD programmes focused on researching Chinese cinema, with the aim of eventually settling down and continuing his creative career. Even if this proves difficult, China will always remain a place he returns to, whether to explore more of the country or to create films through the networks he has established. His journey so far has been guided by curiosity, initiative, and a willingness to say yes, and it is this same openness that continues to shape his path ahead.
