Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Chenning Yang. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Chenning, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

Filmmaking isn’t something you can truly learn from textbooks—I’ve learned everything by doing.

The most meaningful project I’ve worked on so far is Homones, a short film I made during the COVID-19 pandemic. We shot it in my grandma’s town, where I used to spend every summer as a child. Because of remote learning at the time, my friends and I were able to collaborate for the first time as many of us were living back home. The story centers around waxberries, which ripen from late May to early June—a time I was usually stuck at school and unable to return to my grandma’s house. That made this shoot feel especially personal.

The film was created with an all-female crew in key positions. We explored themes of sexual orientation during girlhood, period shaming, and the misunderstandings that can arise within families and society. Homones screened at several film festivals and was recently featured online on Nowness Asia. But more than the exposure, what made the project meaningful was the experience itself: it brought my friends into the world I grew up in and introduced me to many talented, like-minded filmmakers—some of whom are still close friends today.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My journey into filmmaking began in high school, when I attended a summer film program at Northwestern University. I had the chance to spend several weeks surrounded by a hundred other students who were just as curious and passionate about filmmaking as I was. We were guided by a group of Columbia University graduates—working professionals in the film industry—who generously shared their knowledge and real-world insights. That experience lit the spark and made me realize I wanted to pursue this as a career.

I later attended UCLA, where I earned a double major BA in Psychology and Communication. I saw that as an opportunity to study human behavior and communication, foundational elements for storytelling. At the same time, I worked independently as a producer, creating short films that screened at festivals around the world. That period helped me build connections and discover the kind of collaborators and stories I’m drawn to. My work focuses on intimate, emotionally resonant narratives, often centered around identity, memory, and intergenerational dynamics. I gravitate toward stories that are culturally specific yet universally human.

Currently, I’m pursuing my MFA in Producing at the American Film Institute Conservatory. After years of guerrilla filmmaking, I wanted to deepen my understanding of the industry’s structure, rules, and strategies—to not just tell stories, but do so sustainably and at a professional level.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

As an upcoming producer, I’m constantly faced with the tough realities of the job: working within limitations, solving problems on the fly, and finding a way to make things happen against all odds. It can be exhausting. But what keeps me going is the unexpected kindness I encounter along the way, whether it’s from collaborators, vendors, strangers, or audiences.

Filmmaking gives me the rare opportunity to connect deeply with people from all walks of life, with people I might never have crossed paths with otherwise. For a brief, intense period, we share a creative space, and that intimacy, that human connection, is what makes this work feel so meaningful. It keeps my life exciting, and it makes me happy.

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

I’d say Matthew D. Lieberman’s book Social: Why Our Brains Are Wired to Connect has had a lasting impact on how I understand myself and the world around me. He was actually my professor in college, and the book was required reading for one of his classes. But beyond the classroom, it really stuck with me. The book explores how our brains are fundamentally wired to seek out, evaluate, and prioritize social connection—and what that means for how we function as individuals and as a society. It’s a reminder I return to often, and one that helps keep me grounded.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://chenningyang.webflow.io/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chenning_yy/?hl=en
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chenning-yang-9941851a4/