Heckler Opens Shanghai Office

Award-winning independent creative studio Heckler has officially opened its doors in Shanghai, marking an exciting expansion in the Asia-Pacific creative landscape.

More than a new studio, it’s also a reunion. Heckler Shanghai brings together three of the industry’s most respected leaders -- Lily Li, Barry Greaves, and Steven Marolho -- as partners, reuniting after more than a decade of shaping China’s production and visual effects industry. Their shared legacy includes founding Smoke & Mirrors Shanghai, launching MPC Shanghai, and leading The Mill Shanghai. Now, they’re back together under the Heckler banner and ready to raise the bar once again.

Heckler co-founder and CEO Will Alexander said, “Shanghai has always been a creative lightning rod for Asia. With Lily, Barry, and Steve leading our next chapter, we’re reigniting a culture built on artistry, independence, and fearless craft. This is Heckler’s biggest statement yet.”

Founded in Sydney in 2010, Heckler has built a reputation as one of the region’s most respected post, design, and VFX studios, delivering acclaimed work for Apple, Netflix, Mercedes-Benz, Amazon, Riot Games, and Coca-Cola. The Shanghai launch establishes a powerful creative bridge to Heckler Singapore, creating a dynamic independent network in Asia -- a regional engine driven by collaboration, creativity, and speed.

Heckler Shanghai partner and MD Lily Li said, “This is about freedom. Heckler gives us the independence to make bold, beautiful work on our own terms, with the best people in the business.”

Heckler Shanghai partner and COO Steven Marolho added, “We’ve got the band back together. For us, it’s about showing up -- for our clients, our team, and each other. Continuing to deliver the high-quality creative work we’ve dedicated our careers to bringing to the China market and across the region.”

Heckler Shanghai partner and ECD Barry Greaves said, “Heckler is the studio we always wanted to build. One that puts people before process, and values creativity and collaboration above all else.”

Built for the next generation of creative production, Heckler Shanghai combines world-class VFX, design, and finishing pipelines with clean-room-grade security and cutting-edge AI-assisted workflows, empowering artists while pushing the limits of storytelling.

Heckler co-founder and CCO Jamie Watson said, “AI isn’t replacing creativity. It’s amplifying it, and the future belongs to the studios that know how to harness these tools without losing their soul. The right alchemy happens where technology meets humanity, and that’s exactly where Heckler lives.”

According to the co-founders, Heckler’s arrival in Shanghai signals a new era for creative production in Asia.

Will Alexander added, “We’re here to make some noise -- to push culture forward, to champion craft, and to remind the world that independence is our superpower. Asia just got its new creative heartbeat -- one led by people who still believe in the magic of making.”