NYFA Alum Hungyu Kuo on Making His First Feature, "Angels Near Death"

NYFA Alum Hungyu Kuo is a Taiwanese filmmaker whose journey began in English Literature before discovering a passion for cinema through university short films. He then enrolled in NYFA's feature track MFA program where he honed the skills needed to write, direct, and produce full-length films. Since graduating, Hungyu has completed his debut feature Angels Near Death that premiered at American Film Market 2025 and has already wrapped production on his second feature, Extraordinary Achievement. Read about Hungyu's journey in the Q&A below:

NYFA Alumni Network: Can you tell us a bit about yourself, where you're from, and what brought you to New York Film Academy?

Hungyu Kuo (H.K.): I’m Hungyu Kuo from Taiwan. I studied English Literature before discovering my passion for filmmaking through short films I made in university. I joined NYFA’s MFA program for its feature track, which taught me how to create a full-length movie in Hollywood and gave me the confidence to produce, write, and direct my debut feature, Angels Near Death.

NYFA Alumni Network: What projects have you worked on since graduating? Have you won any awards or been showcased in any festivals or competitions?

H.K.: After graduating, I finished my debut feature, Angels Near Death, at Company 3, which will have its market premiere at the American Film Market 2025 on November 12 (1:00 PM) at AMC Century City. Additionally, I shot my second feature, Extraordinary Achievement, which is currently in post-production and is expected to begin its festival run in 2026.

NYFA Alumni Network: Tell us more about your Angels Near Death & how did it come about?

H.K.: Angels Near Death is set in the City of Angels. The film follows Oscar, a heartbroken filmmaker who takes his own life to reunite with his lost love, and Alice, a journalist murdered by a fine art photographer. The two cross paths with others equally lost in a spectral realm where dreams fade and souls linger. Together, they embark on a daring journey to reclaim their bodies and revive the beautiful lives they were meant to live.

The idea stemmed from my reflections on failure, love, and the search for meaning in a city full of illusions. I aimed to capture the beauty and chaos of pursuing dreams in Hollywood while exploring what it means to let go. What began as a small personal story gradually developed into my first feature, produced through my company, Angels Near Death LLC. It became a film about people who lose themselves in their dreams and the courage needed to find their way back.

NYFA Alumni Network: How did you decide to make a feature film and what were some of the biggest challenges you faced?

H.K.: The biggest challenge was believing in myself and continuing forward despite every obstacle. Producing and shooting a feature film as an international student in Los Angeles is no small feat. From navigating the legal complexities of starting an LLC, launching a crowdfunding campaign, and securing SAG contracts, to assembling a dedicated cast and crew and filming in just ten days with a single camera and a twenty-person team, there were moments when it all felt impossible.

During the hiring process, many producers and crew members questioned how I would pull it off. The truth is, I didn’t have all the answers. I broke down more than once, but after wiping away the tears, I returned to work. Because this is what I love. Filmmaking is my passion. Looking back, I realize I made it through because of two things: my unwavering love for cinema, and the steadfast support of my girlfriend, Cher, who believed in me through it all, just as Ang Lee’s wife believed in him at the beginning of his journey.

NYFA Alumni Network: You also collaborated with other NYFA alumni, who worked in key positions. How did these collaborations come about?

H.K.: The collaboration felt natural because we all shared the same filmmaking background and language learned at NYFA. Many of my key team members, such as producers Yijia Sun and Bethanie Ackerman, cinematographer Abhinay Pandit, and 1st AD Jassy Yuan, were classmates or friends from the program. We supported each other’s projects even after graduation. When Angels Near Death went into production, it just made sense to bring in people I trusted and who were creatively connected with me. There was a mutual understanding of the challenges we faced as young filmmakers working in Los Angeles, and that trust allowed us to push the project forward with passion and confidence.

NYFA Alumni Network: What did you learn at NYFA that you applied directly to this project and others?

H.K.: At NYFA, I learned not only how to tell stories but also how to actually make a film from start to finish. Professors like Kimberly Ogletree, Leslie Bates, and Edward Cha taught me the complete process of producing a feature film, from pitching ideas and drafting a business plan to running a crowdfunding campaign, forming an LLC, creating contracts, and preparing for distribution. Kevin DiNovis also guided me through the fundamentals of screenwriting, helping me understand how structure and emotion work together to shape a story. Those lessons became essential in creating Angels Near Death, especially as I navigated the practical and creative challenges of producing independently. Beyond producing, NYFA provided valuable on-set experience where I learned how to collaborate, adapt, and lead a team under pressure. Everything I do now builds on what I learned there.

NYFA Alumni Network: What do you hope the audience takes away from the film?

H.K.: I hope the audience sees Los Angeles not just as a city, but as a mirage, a reflection of our dreams, illusions, and regrets. Angels Near Death is about people caught between fantasy and reality, love and loss, life and death. Through Oscar and Alice’s journey, I wanted to explore how we often chase ideals until we forget the beauty of being alive. If viewers walk away feeling a little more connected to their own humanity and reminded that even in despair, there’s still light and meaning, then I’ve achieved what I set out to do.

Learn more about the film: https://www.angelsneardeath.com/

NYFA Alumni Network congratulates Hungyu Kuo on all his success!