“Artist Portrait - Yana pan"

While attending the DOK Leipzig Film Festival with my university, fellow director Mandy Krahn and I were given an assignment: to photograph and interview a filmmaker who inspired us. Yana Pan’s animation immediately caught our attention. Her film, deeply personal and rich with cultural intricacies, explored her family, her mother, and the complexities of her upbringing.

 

After speaking with Yana and hearing her stories, we wanted to capture not just her presence, but the essence of how we perceived her—through our brief yet insightful encounter. These portraits are a reflection of that impression, an attempt to translate her warmth, depth, and artistic spirit into still images.