Conversations with Yufei Phoebe Fu

Today we’d like to introduce you to Yufei Phoebe Fu.

Hi Yufei Phoebe, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My journey has been anything but linear. I began as a student at the American Film Institute, where I discovered how deeply I’m drawn to stories about the marginalized and the unseen. My thesis film, The Witch Pricker and the Hare, became a defining project for me—not only because I handled every element of post-production, but because it taught me how powerful filmmaking can be when you use it to give voice to those who are often silenced.

After graduating, I followed another passion of mine—astrology—and found ways to merge it with my filmmaking practice. That eventually led me to create my own company, the Phoebe Film Company. The name has personal meaning: Phoebe is both my nickname and the name of Saturn’s ninth moon, a dark, rebellious satellite that moves against the planet’s rotation. That energy reflects the stories I want to tell: bold, idiosyncratic, and unafraid to go against the grain.

Today, my company produces 2–3 small-budget films a year and specializes in post-production—a craft I’ve grown to love and respect. I’m collaborating with tech companies developing TV-series shorts, helping them shape stories and creative teams. At the same time, I’m writing my own narrative project, which I plan to adapt both as a short film and a series. I started this company only a few months ago, but I’m excited about where it’s heading and the community we’re building around it.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It hasn’t been smooth at all. While working on my thesis film—already an intense, all-consuming project—I was simultaneously going through a family lawsuit. It was my first time facing the pressure of balancing my career with deeply personal responsibilities. My family’s business and my mental health were both at risk, and the emotional strain was overwhelming.

One moment in particular stands out: after a severe argument with my aunt, she threw all my belongings into the street. Instead of anger or regret, what I felt was an unexpected sense of peace. I realized that even stripped of everything, I still had myself—and that was enough. That moment, as painful as it was, reminded me that my passion for filmmaking is rooted in something simple and pure. It gave me clarity and independence, both as a person and as an artist.

That chapter was dramatic, but it shaped me. It taught me resilience, responsibility, and the strength to keep going even when life feels unsteady. In fact, the experience was so intense that I may one day turn it into a film or TV series.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Professionally, I’m both a filmmaker and someone who jokingly calls herself a “professional astrologer.” In reality, I’m a lifelong learner in both fields—and they influence each other in unexpected ways.

My company, Phoebe Film Company, focuses on producing small-budget films without limiting format or length. What matters most is honesty and integrity in storytelling. We specialize in post-production, which I believe is becoming increasingly essential for indie filmmakers working with limited resources. Because of the relationships I’ve built across the industry, we also help pair filmmakers with the right producers and collaborators who share their vision.

Right now, I’m working with several emerging tech companies that are exploring TV-series shorts, helping them develop stories and creative teams. Parallel to that, I’m writing my own narrative project that I hope to adapt into multiple formats.

At the core of my career is a love for stories about identity, transformation, and the unseen forces—cosmic or human—that shape our lives. Whether I’m editing, producing, writing, or directing, my goal is always to create work with soul.

Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
Most people are surprised to learn how deeply astrology is woven into my creative life. Even though I graduated from film school, I often joke that I’m an astrologer first and a filmmaker second. The truth is, astrology has been a lifelong passion—it informs how I understand people, stories, and emotional arcs.

Another surprising detail is how connected I feel to the symbolism of my company’s name. Phoebe, Saturn’s ninth moon, is a dark, rebellious satellite traveling against the planet’s rotation. It reflects the type of stories I want to tell: unconventional, mysterious, and full of hidden layers. It’s also a reminder to myself that it’s okay to move differently from others.

People also might not know how much my personal struggles—particularly my recent family challenges—shaped me. That period of loss and conflict strengthened both my independence and my creative voice. It was painful, but it pushed me toward the filmmaker I’m becoming.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.phoebefilm.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yufei.fu/

Image Credits
Yifan Lyu