NYWIFT Blog

By Briana Wilson

Welcome to NYWIFT, Jackie Yunchang Zhang!

Jackie Yunchang Zhang is a non-fiction filmmaker and video artist from Hangzhou, China, now based in New York.

Working across lens-based media and animation, she uses a hybrid non-fiction approach to explore identity, resilience, and cultural displacement.

With a strong sensitivity to emotion, memory, and interpersonal dynamics, her work examines how people navigate relationships, belonging, and the quiet negotiations of everyday life.

Through an observational yet personal style, she creates films that reveal the subtle ways we understand ourselves and the world around us.

Welcome to NYWIFT! Please introduce yourself briefly to our readers.

Hi everyone, I’m Jackie Yunchang Zhang, a nonfiction filmmaker and moving image artist originally from Hangzhou, China, now based in New York. Before shifting into independent artistic practice, I spent ten years working in the media and commercial industries in China.

I recently graduated with an MFA in Photography, Video, and Related Media from the School of Visual Arts. My work focuses on identity, resilience, and cultural displacement, while exploring hybrid forms and pushing the boundaries between different mediums.

What brought you to NYWIFT?

I’ve been looking for a creative community in New York where I can exchange ideas and connect with other filmmakers. I attended a few NYWIFT events and workshops and always felt a strong sense of openness, generosity, and creative energy. It’s the kind of community I really appreciate and want to be part of.

What initially drew you to the field of film, production, and animation, and how did your journey begin?

I’ve always loved art and storytelling. After studying arts business in the U.K., I returned to China and worked as an editor at Harper’s Bazaar Art. Later, I became a producer, creating photo shoots, videos, and animated content for media companies and advertising clients. That experience allowed me to collaborate with many different artists and experiment across formats, which eventually led me into filmmaking and video art.

Can you tell us more about your experience working on your short film, The Anarchist and the Fridge?

The Anarchist and the Fridge was a film I made during my first year in New York. Everything was new to me at the time, the city, the culture, the pace, and I was searching for a story that felt honest. I stumbled upon a free fridge on the street and became curious about the people behind it. That led me to In Our Hearts, an anarchist collective that runs a mutual-aid network. Thadeaus Umstper, the subject, welcomed me into their weekly activities.

By observing the simple, repetitive act of keeping the fridge stocked every day, I saw a quiet and sincere form of care. It was a space where anyone could show up and be accepted, including me. The balance between political ideals and everyday life deeply influenced how I think about documentary work.

What has been the most fulfilling project or aspect of filmmaking you’ve worked on so far, and what made it special for you?

Every project has been meaningful, but right now the documentary short Paper Watch holds a special place for me. The film follows Echo Yu He, a Chinese gallerist, millinery artist and writer in New York, through her exploration of art, grief, and healing.

Through this film, I’ve been experimenting with visual language to reflect Buddhist ideas about impermanence, while also tracing a personal journey of emotional healing, both hers and, in some ways, mine. Technically, I’ve pushed myself to try different methods, and creatively, the process has been a kind of meditation. It has challenged me to think more deeply about how visual art can express inner worlds.

As an animator, you’ve worked for companies like Pantene and Estée Lauder. What was it like working on these projects?

Strictly speaking, I’m not an animator. I run a design and production studio called Flipper Studio with my creative partner, and I work as the producer. We collaborate with platforms like Red Note in China to create CG and 3D animation for major beauty brands.

Because we’ve worked together for many years, the workflow is very structured. Each stage, delivery, and timeline is clearly laid out for the client. Within that framework, we still leave room for flexibility and creative problem-solving, especially when new ideas or feedback come in. When we work with clients who are open and adventurous, the process becomes even more exciting.

Looking ahead, what are you excited to explore next in your journey? How do you envision continuing to make an impact through your work as a filmmaker?

I’m excited to finish post-production on Paper Watch and hopefully share it with a wider audience. I’m also looking forward to joining more projects and collaborating with new people.

For me, filmmaking is a continuous process of learning, entering new cultural spaces, meeting people with different experiences, and understanding the world from up close. Being able to transform that learning into stories that resonate with others is the part of filmmaking I enjoy the most.

Learn more about Jackie Yunchang Zhang on her website www.zhangyunchang.com and connect with her on Instagram at @veryveryjackie.

(All images courtesy of Jackie Yunchang Zhang)