ABOUT US

Rising Waves is committed to elevating British East and Southeast Asian (BESEA) voices across the arts and media industries. Through our mentorship programs, workshops, and collaborative events, we provide vital support for both emerging and mid-career professionals, ensuring that BESEA talent thrives at every level.

Despite some progress for other minority groups, BESEA creatives remain one of the most underrepresented in arts and media. According to the latest Diamond Report, East Asian representation in TV has declined to just 0.6% for off-screen roles and only 1.5% on-screen. This severe underrepresentation extends into film and theatre, highlighting a systemic failure that must be addressed.

We envision a world where BESEA creatives are fully represented in all areas of the arts and media, from leading roles on stage and screen to key positions behind the scenes. By building a sustainable pipeline of talent and demanding industry accountability, we aim to drive lasting change and progress for the next generation.

Meet the Team!

Jeremy Ang Jones

Jeremy is an actor working across television and film, theatre, radio, animation and games. Jeremy is passionate about representation of East and South East Asians in Western media and believes with the unity and empowerment of the community, and support for those entering or thinking of entering the industry we can make a real impact and change for the better.

Jules Chan

Jules is an actor and trained at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, the National Youth Theatre and Drama Centre London. Since graduation he has worked at the National Theatre, the Southbank Centre and the BBC.

Jules is also a creative manager at The Factory Dalston where he assists on supporting and providing space for creative projects that focus on cultural awareness and diversity. As previous Mr. Philippines UK, he aims to continue being a voice for the Filipino community as well as supporting BESEA platforms.

Mei Mac

Mei (she/her) is an Olivier Award nominated actor, the first BESEA nominee for “Best Actress in a Play” for her portrayal of Mei Kusakabe in the critically acclaimed stage adaptation of Studio Ghibli’s MY NEIGHBOUR TOTORO with the Royal Shakespeare Company. She has 13 years worth of professional experience working across theatre, screen, video games and audio books, and has previously lobbied with Public Campaign for the Arts.

Mei has spent her career championing and nurturing the BESEA community and is deeply passionate about empowering our voices across the sector and beyond.

Leo Wan

Leo is an actor, working predominantly in theatre (National Theatre, Royal Shakespeare Company, Shakespeare’s Globe). He also campaigns with Freelancers Make Theatre Work and sits on Equity’s Race Equality Committee. He sits on the boards of Crowded Room and Northern Broadsides and on the artistic advisory committee of Brixton House.

Leo is passionate about social justice and building an inclusive arts industry.

Gillian Tan

Gillian is a multi-disciplinary designer, working across lighting and video for various theatrical, immersive and interactive experiences.

Selected credits include: Mind Mangler (Apollo Theatre, New World Stages – New York, Virgin Cruises, UK Tour); Elephant; A Playlist for the Revolution (Bush Theatre); South Pacific (Chichester Festival Theatre, Sadlers Wells & UK Tour); The Body Remembers (Fuel), Aisha and Abhaya (Royal Ballet/Rambert); 4.48 Psychosis (revival. Lyric Hammersmith/Royal Opera House); Coraline (Barbican Theatre/Royal Opera House)

She was a recipient of the Unreal Engine Storytelling Fellowship of Spring 2022, and former Head of Video at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art.

Georgie Yukiko Donovan

A British-Japanese filmmaker with a flare for telling human stories, captured with sweeping cinematics and intimate portraits. She is passionate about bridging intersections and re-centering marginalised voices, particularly within the East Asian community.

In 2023, Georgie was recognised as a promising industry leader by FILM LONDON’s Breaking Glass Ceiling cohort and was mentored by Emmy and BAFTA-winning James Rogan of Rogan Productions. She also received the inaugural Frame Focus Fund from WDM Entertainment. Most recently, she was selected for Ones To Watch by the TV Foundation and as a 2024 Breakthrough Leader by the TV Collective.

Georgie has directed an award-winning body of work across series, films, and podcasts for outlets such as Netflix, Channel News Asia, and the BBC. Her work tackles complex subjects such as rising anti-feminism in South Korea, hostage negotiations with Boko Haram, and trauma recovery in war veterans.