Yuqi Kang is an award-winning documentary film director and producer. She earned a film MFA at the School of Visual Arts, NYC, winning the Paula Rhodes Memorial Award. Her first feature, A Little Wisdom (2017), won Best Canadian Feature at the Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival, the Grand Jury Award at DOC NYC, Best Camera at Golden Tree Film Festival and Best Feature Film at the Nepal International Film Festival. She was selected for the TIFF Filmmaker Lab with her fiction project and named one of the five breakthrough directors by the Director Guild of Canada in 2018. In 2019, she was named in the “40 under 40” by DOC NYC. She is also an alumnus of RIDM Talent Lab, Hot Docs as well as Tribeca film fund.
questionnaire:
Where were you born, where did you grow up, where do you live now?
I was born in Inner Mongol, and grew up in Beijing. At the moment, I live in Calgary.
First film you made, and where and when?
I made my first feature during graduate school in New York in 2016. The film is called A Little Wisdom and takes place in Lumbini, Nepal.
Latest film you made, and where and when?
I am currently in production of my second feature Inspirare. It’s taking place under the water.
Describe your current living space.
Currently, I live in a house in a quiet suburb that is surrounded by nature. Before March, I was quarantined inside of an apartment in Beijing. I feel lucky now I get to walk outside.
Worst thing about being in isolation?
Adapting to the changes.
Best thing about being in isolation?
Resetting the pace of life, and finding out what the real important things in life are.
Favourite book to read in isolation?
Haven’t read any.
Favourite music to listen to in isolation?
Haven’t really listened to any.
Favourite movies to watch in isolation?
Haven’t really watched a movie that I can call my favourite.
Favourite meal in isolation?
I started to learn to cook during isolation so at the moment everything I make would be my favourite.
What’s the last best thing you cooked?
I learnt how to make Pho, it was really good.
