May Lee Yang & PETER YANG

Qhia Dab Neeg Spotlight FilmmakerS

May Lee Yang and Peter Yang are Hmong American writers, filmmakers, and multidisciplinary artists whose creative partnership draws on nearly three decades of involvement in the arts. Both began their artistic work in the Twin Cities in the late 1990s, participating in an emerging Hmong American arts community that brought together writers, theater artists, filmmakers, and other cultural creators. May Lee is a writer, performance artist, filmmaker, and educator with an MFA in creative writing, while Peter identifies primarily as a writer and creative artist with a longstanding interest in film and visual storytelling.

Together, they are the co-creators and co-writers of Hmong Organization, a screen project for which they have also served as directors and producers. Their work frequently uses comedy, popular culture, and everyday experience to explore race, gender, identity, family, and contemporary Hmong American life. Rather than defining Hmong storytelling through a single cultural narrative, they embrace the diversity of Hmong experiences and believe that Hmong artists should have the freedom to tell stories that reflect their own lives, interests, humor, and creative voices. Their collaborative practice also reflects a strong commitment to mentorship, artistic community, and creating opportunities for others to contribute and succeed.