We recently had the chance to connect with Yalan Hu and have shared our conversation below.
Yalan, a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: Have any recent moments made you laugh or feel proud?
I am an independent film producer drawn to intimate, character-driven stories that center underrepresented voices. My work often explores how identity, belonging, and vulnerability intersect, especially within communities that do not often see themselves reflected on screen. After years of producing independent feature films, I began my collaboration with Torchlight Studios, where I have had the privilege of co-producing two feature films and am currently in production on our third. Torchlight Studios is a production company with a mission to tell stories rooted in Northern Florida, uncovering its forgotten coast, mystique, and cultural history.
One of our recent projects, Noseeums, had its world premiere at FrightFest in London and its U.S. premiere at the Mill Valley Film Festival. It is also a 2025 Atlanta Horror Film Festival nominee for Best Feature. Most recently, Noseeums was acquired for North American distribution by Quiver Distribution, a milestone that represents years of creative collaboration and persistence from our team!
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Noseeums has been an incredible journey. The film is a haunting story uniquely tied to Florida, centered around the state’s backwoods charm that takes a grisly turn as it delves into Florida’s long history of land disenfranchisement against free Black landowners dating back to the Reconstruction era. Throughout the making of Noseeums, I was deeply involved in shaping both the creative and logistical foundation of the production. My focus was on building the right environment for our director and crew to do their best work. Whether it meant coordinating across departments, balancing creative ambitions with budget realities, or ensuring the story’s cultural layers were treated with care, my responsibility was to keep its heart beating through every stage of production.
As the co-producer, I take pride in helping bring this story to life. From the long days on set to the countless creative decisions behind the scenes, every moment reminded me why I love independent filmmaking. It was not just about getting the film made, but about doing it with people whose hearts were in the right place, who believed in the story and gave everything they had to tell it truthfully.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who taught you the most about work?
Early in my career, I worked as a television director for one of the major TV networks in China, directing episodic news documentaries. The short turnaround and high-pressure environment had me constantly rushing deadlines and searching for topics that would attract attention. I focused on eye-catching titles and stories with shock value, until at one point I realized I had lost sight of my purpose.
My mentor asked me, “Why do you want to work in television? What was the drive and intention when you first joined this field?” She had an incredible eye for compassion. In her work, people who were poor or voiceless were given the chance to tell their stories. She was never the most commercially successful, but her films carried a quiet weight that stayed with anyone who watched them.
Under her influence, I began to choose topics that resonated with me personally, stories that I felt mattered. I went on to direct social documentaries about child trafficking and sexual harassment in China, subjects that were rarely discussed openly at the time. Some of those films went on to receive awards, but more importantly, they helped me rediscover the purpose behind my work.
Her way of seeing stories has stayed with me. She taught me that if a story resonates deeply within, it will connect with people everywhere. I carried that lesson with me when I began my career in the United States. That is why I choose to produce films that are meaningful and often overlooked in mainstream media. Noseeums explores the history of Black landowners whose property was taken from them. Courtroom 3H examines the American legal system through the lens of parental rights. Sound of the Police confronts policing and systemic inequality in America. Each project reminds me of what my mentor taught me long ago: that storytelling is most powerful when it gives voice to those who have not been heard.
What fear has held you back the most in your life?
The fear of making the wrong decision. We all know no one can be all right, but somehow, we wish we could make all the right decisions for our life. I put this pressure on myself, fearing that one misstep could change the course of my life. This fear made it extremely difficult to leave my successful career in China and move to the United States to pursue filmmaking. I spent a year wrestling with whether my skills would translate, whether my experience would be respected, and whether I could start over in a completely foreign industry. That fear of making a mistake made me doubt myself constantly.
When I finally took the step forward and gave my best, I began to see people respond – appreciating my work, applauding the effort. Yet this fear does not disappear easily. I have learned that a certain amount of fear is not a bad thing. Nowadays, when I face a difficult decision, I ask myself whether it is better to stay the same or take a step to change what I know is not working.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What’s a cultural value you protect at all costs?
The cultural value I protect at all costs is honesty – not just in the sense of truth-telling, but in staying true to the spirit of people and stories. In filmmaking, this means representing voices and experiences authentically, especially those that are often overlooked or marginalized. My favorite director, Abbas Kiarostami, once said, “I only write stories and people that I know.” It takes great courage and humility for a filmmaker to say something like that. I believe he is not being overly humble, rather, he refuses to assume or project life onto his films, even in fiction. His work shows the deepest respect for the honesty of life, which is a principle I carry into everything I produce.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. Are you tap dancing to work? Have you been that level of excited at any point in your career? If so, please tell us about those days.
Absolutely, there have been moments in my career where I felt that kind of pure excitement.
One of the most vivid was during the production of Noseeums. I began my collaboration with Torchlight Studios in 2023 when they were launching the film. I was captivated when I first read the script, knowing it would be something truly different. Beyond my day-to-day producing responsibilities, the greatest joy was working alongside a young director and producer, sharing my knowledge and seeing them grow. Watching them move from unfamiliarity to confidence, finding their rhythm and comfort on set, was a transformative experience.
It was not just about making a film, but fostering the next generation of filmmakers. Seeing the world respond to Noseeums, from its festival premieres to its acquisition for North American distribution, has been immensely rewarding. Those days reminded me why I do this work: the thrill of bringing a story to life, the joy of seeing it resonate, and the fulfillment of creating something meaningful with a team that shares your passion.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.yalanhufilms.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yalanhuever/
- Other: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm9943845/
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