Meet Yuhan Wang | Filmmaker

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

Hi Yuhan, why did you pursue a creative career?
I’ve had trouble sleeping ever since I was a kid. To help me fall asleep, my mom would tell me all kinds of stories. They opened up a parallel universe in my head, and I think I spent a lot of time staying in there. I was into dreaming to build a fantasy world since then.
Back then, the easiest way for me to express that was through drawing and words. That’s why I studied fashion communication in undergrad—it felt like the most natural outlet at the time. But as I got older, I realized that they weren’t enough. I wanted something that spoke to both the eyes and the ears. I wanted to make films. Deep down, I think I always know it because films make me cry.
I grew up in a city called Hefei. It’s often described as one of the most “average” cities in China—people rarely move there, and a lot of people born there never leave. For me, it’s both home and something I needed to get away from. It gave me a strong sense of where I root, but also pushed me to explore something bigger, more diverse. I’m eager to learn myself as a person along with all my identities as a woman, a daughter, a Chinese, a Gen-Z and so on. I’m eager to learn the world with its happiness, sufferings and turbulence. The career of been an artist or creator endows me the power to touch and heal.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
So far, as an independent filmmaker, I have directed three narrative short films that all live on the edge of conventional storytelling. They explore themes of womanhood, growth, eating disorders, mother–daughter relationships, dystopia, surveillance, politics, fantasy, and mystery. For me, narration is the heartbeat of every project—the starting point from which I imagine the film’s possibilities. While most well-known stories are direct and clear to ensure accessibility, I believe life rarely reveals itself so neatly. Thanks to my experience at CalArts, I’ve embraced experimental methodologies that challenge narrative conventions. Both image and sound are tools to evoke a sensory truth—one that remains open for each audience member to interpret.
Becoming a professional has never been easy—and I don’t think it ever is, even for the so-called “masters” and “geniuses.” My way to cope difficulties are reading books, watching films, and immersing myself in art. In many ways, art was my first true friend—one that offered honesty without judgment, and patience for my response. That’s how I first fell in love with the art world.
Along the way, one of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned is how to face rejection. As an artist, small and large failures are inevitable. Instead of seeing them as obstacles, I see them as fragments of armor—pieces that make me stronger, more sustainable, and more innovative.
I want the world to know my work as a unique perspective—one that speaks for those who are suffering or in pain. If my art can make someone feel less alone and offer even a small glimmer of justice in real life, then I will be proud.

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?
I’m currently living in Los Angeles, and I think the most glamorous part of the city is its inclusivity and cultural diversity—there are influences from all over the world. If my best friend were visiting, I’d want her to experience as much of that as possible.

In the morning, we could start with breakfast at a classic American café on Sunset Boulevard or an independent coffee shop in Silver Lake. After breakfast, we might visit some of the city’s most famous museums and galleries, such as the Getty, the Hammer, or the Academy Museum. For lunch, I’d take her to enjoy authentic Korean food in Koreatown or elegant European cuisine in Pasadena.

In the afternoon, we could explore the Huntington Garden in San Gabriel for a peaceful escape, or head to the beach in Santa Monica to enjoy the ocean breeze. For dinner, we might choose something casual, like flavorful street tacos, or go all out with fine dining. After dinner, we could take a walk around Echo Park, then either stop by a queer bar nearby or catch a film at AMC before driving up to Mulholland Drive for a breathtaking view of the city at night.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Along my journey, there are so many people I’m grateful for. But the group I want to give the biggest shoutout to is my CalArts community, where I pursued my MFA in Film Directing from 2022 to 2025. That’s where my filmmaking journey really began, and where I experienced a deep sense of solidarity and creative freedom.
From the start, I knew it would be tough to break into this industry. But I was lucky to meet mentors and peers who gave me strength and confidence. I found collaborators and lifelong friends there. To name just a few: my actors Alve Fu, Marykate Glenn, and Joe Zhang; my producers Linx Fong Selby and Scarlett Yanli Feng (who studied at LMU but we met through mutual friends at CalArts); my cinematographers Marco Zhang and Riley Hanyue Shen; and my thesis mentor Athina Tsangari, whose support and guidance have been incredibly powerful.
There are so many others I’m thankful for—friends and collaborators like Julie Fackler, Yishi Wang, Lety Vargas, and many more. Their trust and friendships have helped me grow into a stronger, more fearless artist.

Website: https://yuhanwang.me

Instagram: @1pieceofscale

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yuhan-wang-5530992a7/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100081531015149

Image Credits
Wenxin Zhou, Linx Fong Selby, Julie Fackler, Tian Liu, Brooke Harbaugh, Nicola Li