Experiencing Interruptions?

Fortune Cookie

A fortune-cookie-head crumbles himself, piece by piece in order to keep devouring creatures out of his way...

  • Fu Yang
    Director
  • Fu Yang
    Producer
  • Fu Yang
    Animator
  • Wonji Lee
    Composer
  • Wonji Lee
    Sound Designer
  • Project Type:
    Animation, Experimental, Short
  • Genres:
    Narrative, Stopmotion, Animation, Art, Short
  • Runtime:
    3 minutes 50 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    June 1, 2023
  • Country of Origin:
    Taiwan
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • 23rd Annual Whitaker St. Louis Filmmakers Showcase
    Saint Louis, MO
    United States
    July 30, 2023
    Best Animated Documentary or Experimental Film - Fortune Cookie, Fu Yang
  • 23rd Annual Whitaker St. Louis Filmmakers Showcase
    Saint Louis, MO
    United States
    July 30, 2023
    Best Narrative Film under 20 minutes - Fortune Cookie, Fu Yang
  • 32nd Annual Whitaker St. Louis International Film Festival
    Saint Louis, MO
    United States
    November 12, 2023
    Official Selection
  • 12th Annual Seattle Asian American Film Festival
    Seattle
    United States
    February 24, 2024
    Official Selection
Director Biography - Fu Yang

Fu is originally from Taiwan and came to San Francisco to study traditional animation in 2016. Stop-motion is her forte. In 2022, she reestablished an animation studio with her husband in St. Louis, MO, and works from filmmaking to teaching.

Being an alien in the US has made her more sensitive to other storytellers trying to express their roots through filmmaking as a way to bridge communication and understanding among different cultures. Having the experience as a foreign art student also brings her attention to how other immigrants follow their dreams and break through the barrier of language and limited resources they often have.

Through personal projects, she shares pieces of herself and the culture she grew up in. She sees every work as a journal to connect with people and share a message on subjects that matter in her heart.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

Film Content Area - Burnout
The original concept came out as a reflection of my working experience right after graduating from art school. I volunteered at non-profits believing in their missions. I trusted their false promises that they would consider hiring me in the future, and I dedicated all my time and efforts to proving my worth to the team.

However, what I did seemed never good enough and never fit their qualifications of being "a true professional." Those authorities told me it is normal for aspiring artists to compromise on their well-beings and payments as an exchange for their exposures and opportunities-- this is how "everyone" starts in the beginning. I felt my face became their advertisement of embracing diversity, but my voice was undervalued. My projects related to servicing justice and supporting artists, but I was not the case to be noticed and considered.

I need an exit to put my mixed feeling of hopelessness, exhaustion and anxiety aside. Therefore, I want to transform the negativity into art to remind myself, other aspiring artists and young professionals the importance of knowing our limits and taking care of our well-beings while pursuing our dreams. People who are older than us, staying in the industry longer than us and having more resources than us do not mean they have the right to surpass and manipulate others. Be brave to say no and walk away. Believe in ourselves and find the right community to heal and to grow.