STAY HOT STAY CHILL: An Interview with Nancy YiYu Chen

Please tell us about the projects you worked on before making ‘STAY HOT STAY CHILL’. How did you start, and how did you learn to make films?

Nancy YiYu Chen (Director/Writer): Some of my past work includes the Netflix original series “A Taiwanese Tale of Two Cities” and mini series “Papa & Daddy” on GagaOOLala. My creative journey began during my college years, when I set my goal to become a film director. I wrote and directed my own scripts for the production classes. After I graduated, I worked on numerous productions and worked my way up—from script supervisor, to director’s assistant, to first AD—learning hands-on throughout. After completing my master’s degree abroad, I returned to Taiwan and directed my first theatrical documentary in 2013.

Tell us about ‘STAY HOT STAY CHILL’. How do you describe it?

Ann-jiun Wang(EP/Writer): This is the first documentary about lesbian entertainment culture in the Chinese-speaking world. It’s also a story of a woman’s unconventional entrepreneurial journey—and a family portrait of two sisters and their mother who built a business together. The film weaves together many elements, as every Lez’s Meeting party is a dream realized: an immersive, themed experience. For attendees, each event feels like walking onto a film set. We hope each participant can fully explore their multifaceted self—oscillating between reality and fantasy, between crowds and solitude, and tracing the discoveries, risks, and transformations of Chinese women from the 1950s to the early 2000s.

Please tell us about your favorite filmmakers.

Ann-jiun Wang(EP/Writer): Wong Kar-wai, Ang Lee, Peter Chan, Chen Yin-Jung and Nancy YiYu Chen.

If you were given a good budget, what would be your ideal project?

Ann-jiun Wang(EP/Writer): I’d love to make a lesbian urban romance—a kind of Asian version of The L Word—depicting the real love and desire of Chinese queer women. It would blend diverse lifestyles with rich, layered emotions. A full-sensory experience: colorful, sensual, and emotionally delicious.

Describe how you would ensure that production is on schedule. What steps would you take?

Nancy YiYu Chen(Director/Writer): Staying on schedule has never been difficult for me because I thoroughly plan what I need to capture during pre-production. I also strategize how to guide the subjects and hold regular meetings with the team to ensure alignment. However, since documentaries are inherently organic, it’s essential to leave space for the unexpected. Flexibility and adaptability are key.

What was the hardest part of making ‘STAY HOT STAY CHILL’.

Ann-jiun Wang(EP/Writer): During the six-month shoot, the biggest challenge was how to represent the evolution of the LEZS Meeting parties over 20 years, alongside the broader development of Taiwan’s LGBTQ+ community. Through this film, we want to show younger generations what life was like before marriage equality—how Chinese queer women raged, endured, and thrived in ways that may surprise you. Gathering two decades of materials—especially from the first ten years (2005–2015)—was tough. We even dug out old CDs buried deep in drawers!

If possible, tell us about your next work. What plans do you have for your future work?

Ann-jiun Wang(EP/Writer): I hope to tell a lesbian urban love story of this generation—a commercial romantic film that viewers will want to watch over and over again. Something that ignites their romantic imagination, awakens their inner girl, and delivers a dopamine rush with every viewing. After watching, I want audiences to feel closer to the lives of queer women. And for the boys who always ask, “What do lesbians do exactly?”—this will be your answer.