Meet Chenning Yang | Independent Film Producer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Chenning Yang and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Chenning, can you share a quote or affirmation with us?
One of my favorite quotes comes from Edward Yang, who wrote in Yi Yi (2000): “My uncle says we live three times as long since man invented movies. Movies give us twice what we get from daily life.” This quote resonates deeply with me because it captures the transformative power of cinema. Films transcend time and space, allowing people from different backgrounds to find pieces of themselves in the story.

While we only live once, movies enrich and extend our lives. Through cinema, we connect with characters and stories from different eras, empathizing with them despite the varying historical contexts or our own experiences. Edward Yang’s Yi Yi is a perfect example—within the constraints of its narrative, it paints an intimate portrait of family life. No matter our social roles or where we are in life, it’s easy to see fragments of ourselves reflected in the film’s timeline.

For me, sitting in the dark and watching a film is like stepping into a parallel world. It’s an opportunity to escape reality for a few hours and experience alternate lives and perspectives. That ability to transport and transform is what makes cinema truly magical.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My psychology background deeply informs my approach to filmmaking, shaping both the way I tell stories and collaborate with others. Starting out as an independent producer in guerrilla filmmaking taught me invaluable lessons. Those micro-budget projects left lasting impressions and equipped me with the resilience and creativity to tackle any challenge. Even now, when people ask, “What does a producer really do?” I hesitate because producing is so much more than a single definition—it’s about solving problems, building connections, and turning visions into reality.

I was born and raised in Shanghai, China, where my roots and inspirations forever lie. After six years in Los Angeles and currently pursuing an MFA in Film Producing at AFI Conservatory, I’ve become even more determined to tell stories that transcend cultural boundaries. My goal is to create films where people from diverse backgrounds can see themselves reflected, even if they aren’t familiar with the culture being depicted. For me, storytelling has no borders. By stripping away barriers of social status, profession, race, and age, I focus on universal human connections.

“Returning home” is a recurring motif in my work. By exploring the tension between home and the world, I aim to help modern wanderers rediscover a sense of belonging. My hope is that through my stories, audiences can find their way home.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Food: Brunch at République, savor delicious Korean soups at Jinsol Gukbup, tapas and wine at Bacari Silverlake, late night craving at Brothers Cousins Tacos in Sawtelle

Art: Visit the Getty Museum / Hammer Museum / Huntington Library gardens during the day. Evening stargazing at the Griffith Observatory.

Scenic Drives: Spend time exploring Elysian Park. Take a drive along Mulholland during midnight

Film Buff Adventures: Catch a screening at Braindead Society, The Secret Movie Club, or Vista Theater to celebrate LA’s cinema culture.

Coffee & Bars: Start the day at Maru Coffee. Relax with drinks at No Vacancy or Thunderbolt.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’d like to give a heartfelt shoutout to the Film & Video Summer Cherubs program at Northwestern University. Back in 10th grade, I stepped into the program knowing next to nothing about filmmaking, but that summer changed everything for me. The program, taught by active professionals—many of whom were Columbia MFA alumni—was an intense, immersive experience that served as my first real deep dive into both the theoretical and practical aspects of filmmaking.

It was a utopia for a young, eager storyteller. We had classes from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., followed by group film screenings and analyses that went late into the night. On weekends, we teamed up to create small projects, learning hands-on about collaboration and production. For the first time, I was exposed to a standardized production workflow and surrounded by peers who shared my passion for storytelling.

That month not only gave me invaluable knowledge and experience but also lifelong connections. To this day, I still collaborate with friends I made during that transformative summer—it’s been eight years, and the impact of that “eternal summer” continues to shape my journey. It was a pivotal moment in my life, and I owe so much of where I am today to that program and the people I met there.

Website: https://chenningyang.webflow.io/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tuo_rekkey?igsh=MWE3bXppd2Vmb3FyNg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/in/chenning-yang-9941851a4