Raised in a Hui Muslim family in China, Yifei He explores identity, displacement, and the subtle emotional terrain of in-between lives through film and short stories. She strives to integrate her eastern aesthetics with western storytelling and shed light upon untold stories of marginalized people.
Yifei holds an MFA in filmmaking from NYU Tisch. She has directed and produced several short films that have screened in festivals around the world including Sundance, Tribeca, Palm Springs and Raindance. She is currently based in Beijing and developing her first feature.

«The BONFIRE Online Residency arrived at a transitional and pivotal moment in my life, giving me space to reflect, explore, and form meaningful connections. IIt opened me up in ways I had long hoped for but never fully experienced before. I’m deeply grateful for the openness and generosity of the people I met here, as well as the thoughtful guidance of Pat and Lukas. The conversations we shared over two months were deeply thought-provoking, encouraging me to redefine myself as an artist and reconsider the kind of artistic life I hope to build. More than anything, the residency reminded me that creative growth can emerge through uncertainty, dialogue, and the feeling of being genuinely seen and supported. I leave now, feeling more grounded within myself, with a renewed sense of possibilities, hopeful and excited for what’s to come.»