Bizhan Tong

Bizhan Tong (born 5 June 1987) is a British producer, screenwriter, and film director. He is the founder and CEO of Phoenix Waters Productions, former Executive Producer of Asia Television and Executive Director of its sister company AMM Global.
== Early life ==
Tong was born in London to Chinese and Persian parents. He went to Highgate School and went on to earn a degree in Mathematics from University of Manchester before doing an MBA at the age of 21 at the University of Liverpool. During this time he wrote, produced, and directed several short films beginning with the film 'Ticket' about toxic masculinity, as well as associate producing the movie Fix (film) starring Olivia Wilde. 
== Career ==
As a teenager Tong formed an online DVD franchise in order to fund his filmmaking equipment. Upon graduating with an MBA, Tong led a career in finance working for Barclays across multiple divisions including Barclays Premier, Barclays Wealth, and Barclays Private Bank, where he operated in areas including fund management and impact investment. He also spearheaded various gender equality initiatives including the United Nations's HeForShe campaign founded by actress Emma Watson where he acted as co-chair for the Barclays Group in the UK, co-chaired the gender diversity pillar of Barclays Wealth, and was part of the Women on Boards committee for Barclays in New York. 
In 2015 Tong founded his own production company, Phoenix Waters Productions, to develop high concept stories starting with romantic drama The Escort. The film, which was an exploration of society's role in the marginalization of women, premiered in 2018 at the height of the #Me Too Movement and Harvey Weinstein sexual abuse cases|Weinstein scandal, winning several awards in its festival run across the globe including Best Director at the Festival of Cinema NYC. This led to him being mentored by film distributor Trevor Green, head of Entertainment Film Distributors at the time alongside his brother Nigel. Tong expanded to the US, working with actors such as Robert Picardo, Jack Betts, and John Savage (actor)|John Savage, before expanding further into Asia and setting an Asian hub in Hong Kong in order to develop Asian stories for global audiences. 
In 2020 Tong partnered with Hong Kong broadcaster Asia Television, acting as its Executive Producer to spearhead the creative direction of the studio, relaunch the drama department which had shut down in 2016, and develop a slate of Films, Series, and Variety shows. As a fan of Hong Kong cinema he wanted to create new entertainment to support the resurgence of the industry. The first film he put into production was international thriller Lockdown (2021), a pandemic thriller shot around the world and starring a global cast including Xander Berkeley and John Savage (actor)|John Savage that was inspired by the passing of Tong's mentor and the George Floyd protests that took place soon after. In January 2021 amid a corporate restructuring, AMM Global Media was formed as part of the ATV Group in order to devote itself entirely to creative entertainment with international appeal, with all 19 of Tong's creative projects including Lockdown (2021) shifting there, and Tong's remit expanding to act as its Executive Director. It was revealed that some of his projects include a singing show, a dating show, and a zombie movie. 
Tong is currently developing an Asian remake of Richard Linklater's Sundance Film Festival|Sundance hit Tape (film) with the movie's original writer, playwright Stephen Belber. He is also developing both a Cantonese and a British version of an original crime drama series, Forensic Psychologist, the latter in partnership with Debbie Mason, co-founder of Kudos (production company) behind hit shows Life on Mars (British TV series) and Humans (TV series); drama series Crypto Keepers about Hongkongers competing with Americans to create the next Bitcoin; and a miniseries involving Triad (organized crime)|Triads. 
Category:1987 births
Category:British film producers
Category:University of Manchester alumni
Category:University of Liverpool alumni
Category:People educated at Highgate School, London