Yuqi Kang is an exceptional filmmaker and a dear friend of mine. Originally from Inner Mongolia, China, she studied filmmaking in New York City and has lived in various places, which has enriched her perspective. Her documentary A Little Wisdom premiered at prestigious festivals like the Busan International Film Festival and South by Southwest, earning accolades such as Best Canadian Feature at Hot Docs and the Grand Jury Award at DOC NYC. I had the pleasure of meeting Yuqi in 2019 and since then, she has followed my training, leading us to collaborate on the documentary 7 Beats Per Minute.
Beyond her significant accomplishments, Yuqi possesses an extraordinary ability to understand people. She creates a safe and welcoming space where her friends can truly be themselves—free from judgment and pressure. Her deep connection to human emotions not only makes her films profoundly impactful but also makes her an incredible friend.
– Written by Jessea Lu (Lu Wenjie), world-record freediver and instructor
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Which neighbourhood are you in?
I’ve been a resident of Vancouver for the past two years, after living in Beijing, Calgary, New York and Toronto. Given the nature of my work, I travel frequently throughout the year, so when I’m home I really appreciate the stillness and comfort of my own space. I reside in Mount Pleasant, and each day I find myself growing more attached to the neighbourhood. I enjoy walking, biking and using public transit, and Mount Pleasant has made it easy to avoid driving. There’s always something new to discover and I’m glad to finally have a place I can truly call home.
What do you do?
I’m a filmmaker. In addition to directing and writing my own films, I also produce and shoot documentaries. I initially chose filmmaking because I dreamed of travelling the world with my work. But along the way, I discovered a deep passion for the process itself, which has taken me to many fascinating places and introduced me to countless intriguing people. I’m always on the lookout for the next story I want to tell, which makes me deeply grateful to continue this journey with my core collaborators.
What are you currently working on?
Right now, I’m travelling with my films to various festivals. One of them is my feature doc 7 Beats Per Minute, which tells the story of freediver Jessea Lu’s journey back from near death and family trauma. It’s a co-production by Ina Fichman’s Intuitive Pictures and the National Film Board of Canada. I also have a short horror film, Thorn, that explores the dynamic between a mother and daughter at their dinner table. Looking ahead, I have a feature documentary called Fruit Is Ripe coming out next year. It’s set in Olds, Alberta, and follows a group of immigrant fathers building solar greenhouses to combat the harsh winters. I’m also writing and developing a narrative feature that delves into the horror of family dynamics and motherhood, focusing on intergenerational misogyny and its long-lasting traumas. At the same time, I’m always on the lookout for new documentary ideas.
Where can we find your work?
7 Beats Per Minute will soon be screening at the Vancouver International Film Festival, here. Both 7 Beats Per Minute and Thorn will also be showing at the Calgary International Film Festival, here. To see more of my work, you can visit my website.
