Filmmaker Kay Niuyue Zhang On Winning at Festival de Cannes And ‘Mother In The Mist’

This filmmaker is a true talent!

Creator Kay Niuyue Zhang is a unique filmmaker who has received several awards for her work. Her recent short film entitled ‘Mother In The Mist’ took home the 75th Festival de Cannes AMPV’s Emerging Filmmaker Showcase award for ‘Best Short Movie’.

We had the amazing honor of talking with Kay about living in Wuhan during the pandemic, future projects, and more!

When did you first realize that you wanted to pursue a career in the film industry?

K: “I first realize that I want to pursue as a career when I’m still exploring the industry, working as a bilingual Key PA on a Chinese sci-fi feature. Working for top-notch Production Designers, VFX artists, Previs Artists in the world makes me realize that how much and how long it takes to actually make waves in this industry, that seems shiny on the outside.”

Tell us about your incredible short film ‘Mother In The Mist’. What is the film’s purpose?

K: “This is an independent film which is also my directorial debut. It is a film that is set in Wuhan, just as lockdowns began to be imposed in the initial days of 2020. It follows Zhao, a new mother who has yet to see the daughter she gave birth to, and Snowie, a little girl fighting her own way to the heart of the catastrophic epidemic in the hope of seeing her mother. So far it has taken home several awards from prestigious festivals and institutions such as the Director’s Guild of America (DGA).”

What was your reaction to winning the Best Short in the “Emerging Filmmaker’s Showcase” at The American Pavilion in the 75th Festival de Cannes?

K: “Of course I was absolutely thrilled. The films at Marché Du Film in the 75th Festival de Cannes were all so extraordinary that I just feel privileged to be among them. However, winning this award means such tremendous encouragement to me to continue doing what I do, which is telling stories and making films about women and children of color.”

What was your personal experience during the pandemic, given that you are originally from Wuhan?

K: “In 2020, my hometown Wuhan became worldly known in a way quite unexpectedly. My family and friends were all stranded —- a metropolitan city of 11 million people announced an unprecedented shut down of land and aerial transportation, in order to stop the virus from spreading outside of the city. No one could come in or out.

That winter, there were countless memorable moments in Wuhan, but I heard a story that instantly touched my heart and inspired me to write this screenplay. In this short Road/ Drama piece, I tend to explore a simple story of a little girl who tries to reunite with her mother, and a mother who tries to see her baby girl. As a Wuhan native and a global citizen who constantly crosses borders both culturally and physically, it becomes crucial for me since then to tell such a story that unveils the human struggles admist Wuhan’s early days of horror, and to present universal emotions from this place we call “far east”

In the hope that this film sheds light on how Wuhanese faced horror and uncertainty with bravery, I wish to evoke a gentle gaze upon those people who are seen as “virus spreaders”, and portray them as mothers, fathers, daughters and sons whom they truly are.”

Who would you note as some of your largest filmmaker inspirations and why?

K: “AAPI filmmakers such as Ang Lee, Lee Chang Dong, Lulu Wang, Justin Chon are my role models because of the unapologetic stories they tell about diasporic asians and asian americans. I also admire female producers, writers, casting directors actors such as Janet Yang, Julia Kim, Michelle Yeoh who produce such tremendous work in their field and bring forth films that speaks a universal language of intriguing storytelling.”

Can we expect more projects from you in the future? Any hints?

K: “I am producing a Feature Film called “Better Than a Shovel” with several alumni, it is a dark comedy about a kind-hearty cannibalistic man who decides to become a vegetarian. We plan to take it to major streaming platforms such as Netflix, Hulu, apple+ or amazon.

I am also developing a feature script called “Call me Anni” from an award-winning short of the same name that I wrote in 2020. It’s a thrilling dark drama about a Chinese international student who takes on a dangerous gig of answering client phone calls for a Chinatown hooker. 

I’m also producing several short films, that are presented and/or funded by prestigious institutions such as the Sloan Foundation, Film Independent and Unreal Engine Epic MegaGrants.”

Where can we follow your amazing journey?

K: “kayzhangniuyue.com.”

Je’Kayla Crawford– Founder and Director– Je’Kayla has been a journalist for years and decided to start a publication of her own, New Scene. When not helping her team and working on the monthly issues, you can find her watching a movie on Netflix or baking using a viral Tasty recipe.