Author Ben Lei

Ben Lei

Senior Contributor

Ben Lei is a senior entertainment journalist at Awards Focus, where he covers the artists and craftspeople shaping today’s film and television landscape. His reporting places a particular emphasis on multicultural representation, with a focus on elevating underrepresented voices both in front of and behind the camera. Over the course of his career, Ben has interviewed Academy Award and Emmy Award winners and nominees across all facets of production—from actors and directors to editors, composers, and production designers—offering readers a deeper understanding of the creative decisions behind some of the year’s most acclaimed projects. His coverage spans major premieres, film festivals, and awards ceremonies, where he has become known for thoughtful, craft-driven interviews that resonate with both industry insiders and general audiences. In addition to his work at Awards Focus, Ben is the founder and co-host of United By Rice, a media platform and podcast dedicated to celebrating AANHPI storytellers and exploring the cultural impact of Asian American voices in entertainment. Through his journalism and original programming, he remains committed to documenting the evolving creative landscape while helping ensure that more inclusive stories are seen, heard, and remembered.

Emmy Nominee Brittany Allen on Finding Grace in Roxie’s Final Hours on ‘The Pitt’

Emmy nominee Brittany Allen discusses Roxie’s powerful final hours on "The Pitt," researching death and terminal illness, finding the performance within the character’s physical limitations, balancing the role with motherhood and taking control of her own Emmy campaign.

Emmy Nominee Olga Mill on Dressing the Four Seasons of ‘Beef’ Season 2

Emmy-nominated costume designer Olga Mill discusses the four-seasons concept behind "Beef" Season 2, her collaboration with Grace Yun and James Laxton, tailoring Charles Melton’s deceptively simple wardrobe and finding unexpected choices for Carey Mulligan and Youn Yuh-jung.

Emmy Nominee Julie Schubert on the Casting Chemistry Behind ‘The Diplomat’

Emmy-nominated casting director Julie Schubert discusses building "The Diplomat" ensemble, reuniting Bradley Whitford and Allison Janney, finding Keri Russell and Rufus Sewell's chemistry, and what casting directors really look for in an award-worthy ensemble.

Emmy Nominee James Laxton on Finding a New Visual Language for ‘Beef’ Season 2

Emmy-nominated cinematographer James Laxton discusses expanding the visual language of "Beef" Season 2, photographing its complicated relationships, collaborating across departments and shooting some of the season's most memorable sequences in Korea.

Emmy Nominated Director Jake Schreier on Setting the Tone for ‘Beef’ Season 2 and Bringing It Home

Emmy-nominated director Jake Schreier discusses bookending "Beef" Season 2, creating its visual language, finding empathy for deeply flawed characters, shooting in Korea and his longtime creative partnership with creator Lee Sung Jin.

Emmy Nominee Sharon Bialy on Building the Global Ensemble Behind ‘Pluribus’

Emmy-nominated casting director Sharon Bialy discusses the global search behind "Pluribus," finding unfamiliar faces to populate the Others, casting Carlos-Manuel Vesga, why she doesn't believe in chemistry reads and how the series changed the way she approaches her craft.

Emmy Nominee Charles Melton on the Self-Doubt and Identity Behind Austin in ‘Beef’ Season 2

Emmy nominee Charles Melton discusses how “May December” led Lee Sung Jin to create his “Beef” character Austin, finding comedy without playing the joke, bringing his Korean American experience to the role and what he learned working alongside Song Kang-ho.

‘Margo’s Got Money Troubles’ Cinematographer Tari Segal on Finding Empathy Behind the Camera

Emmy-nominated cinematographer Tari Segal discusses creating the distinctive visual language of "Margo’s Got Money Troubles," capturing Elle Fanning’s unfiltered portrayal of motherhood, finding humanity within the series’ raunchier moments, shooting on location in Las Vegas and putting Nicole Kidman inside the wrestling ring.

Film Review: ‘The End of Oak Street’ Goes Back to the ’80s but Gets Lost Along the Way

"The End of Oak Street" has all the ingredients for a wonderfully weird, nostalgic ’80s adventure, but David Robert Mitchell’s dinosaur movie gets lost somewhere between family drama, science fiction, comedy and spectacle.

Film Review (Spoiler Free): ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’ Features Tom Holland’s Finest Performance Yet

Tom Holland delivers his most mature performance yet in "Spider-Man: Brand New Day," a grounded and emotionally resonant adventure that shifts the focus back to Peter Parker's personal sacrifices. Director Destin Daniel Cretton balances spectacular action with heartfelt storytelling, making this one of Marvel's strongest post-"Endgame" films.