By Camille Felipe
Welcome to NYWIFT, Sen-I Yu!
Sen-I Yu is a New York-based, award-winning filmmaker originally from Taiwan. Her feature directorial debut My Heavenly City garnered international recognition, including a NETPAC Award nomination at the 43rd Hawaii International Film Festival, Best Picture and IndiePix Vision Award at the 2025 Winter Film Festival, among others.
The film secured worldwide theatrical distribution in 2023 throughout Taiwan, Hong Kong, with limited releases in North America and the UK. The Guardian called it a “fresh, thoughtful take on immigrant experience, Sen-I Yu’s sympathetic and humane film traces three loosely woven stories of people dealing with loneliness in New York City…”
In our interview, she discusses her debut feature, how her immigrant experience influences her creative process, and the types of stories that inspire her.
NYWIFT Member Sen-I Yu
What brings you to NYWIFT?
I joined NYWIFT hoping to connect with more women filmmakers and to gain insights and support for my new film project’s fundraising efforts, including fiscal sponsorship, workshops, seminars, and screenings.
What initially drew you to filmmaking, and how has your journey from Taiwan to New York shaped your creative perspective?
My mother is a master storyteller who can describe events so vividly with details that make you feel like you’re right there experiencing them. I think I was influenced by her and developed a love for storytelling from a young age.
Meanwhile, I grew up watching films by Hou Hsiao-Hsien and Edward Yang, so naturally these two passions merged together.
My immigrant experience definitely influences my creativity. I view things from an outsider’s perspective. I’m also drawn to stories about everyday people and marginalized groups. My own struggles navigating cultural transitions have become a source of inspiration.
Sen-I Yu on set
Can you tell us about your award-winning feature film directorial debut, My Heavenly City, and what inspired this story?
My feature film My Heavenly City was inspired by my short film of the same name: A Mandarin-English interpreter witnesses the suffering of people through her assignments, which informs her own identity and place in the city.
When I was finishing the short film, I had this idea to develop it into a feature. So, I wrote two companion stories to create a triptych — letting the three stories interconnect and allowing the characters to inspire each other through their common experience as immigrants in New York City.
Sen-I Yu on set
What drew you to exploring themes of loneliness and human connections in your filmmaking, and how do you hope your work impacts audiences on an emotional level?
My experience living in New York City inspired the film. As marvelous, rich, and exciting a city as New York is, it can be a very lonely place. Being a transplant, there’s another layer of solitude we endure — the kind derived from being so far away from the culture you grew up with, the longing for familiar flavors of life.
I want to capture that feeling and those struggles and bring them into the characters’ everyday lives. I hope the human angle resonates with audiences and perhaps brings healing too.
Sen-I Yu hits the red carpet
What has been the most rewarding aspect of transitioning from Taiwan to the New York filmmaking scene?
Blending of cultures is fun and exciting to me through the transition.
What kinds of stories do you feel most passionate about telling, and what do you hope audiences take away from your films?
I enjoy exploring human stories. The themes can be love, family, women, immigration, coming of age, etc. I’d like to not only present stories and themes but, more importantly, illuminate the human spirit — that’s my goal.
Are there any upcoming projects you’re particularly excited about?
I just completed the script for my new project, an immigrant story that examines love and marriage from a feminist lens.
Learn more about Sen-I Yu’s work on her website seniyufilm.com and follow her on Instagram at @seni.eva.yu.
(All images courtesy of Sen-I Yu)
Camille Felipe
Camille Felipe is a senior Communication major at SUNY Geneseo with a passion for storytelling, brand engagement, and digital media. With extensive experience in hospitality and customer service spanning over four years, she brings a unique perspective on connecting with diverse audiences. As the former Diversity & Inclusivity Chair for Phi Kappa Pi Alpha Clionian, Camille has led community outreach programs and advocacy initiatives, strengthening her commitment to inclusive communication. Her background in event coordination, team leadership, and promotional material creation reflects her dedication to building meaningful connections through strategic communication. Contact her at Camillefelipe0987@gmail.com.
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