C.B. Yi is an Austrian filmmaker who studied directing and cinematography under Michael Haneke and Christian Berger in Vienna. His debut feature “Moneyboys” premiered in Cannes Un Certain Regard and Caméra d´Or sections and received numerous international awards. His protagonists reflect the identity struggles of young adults from diverse backgrounds as they navigate transitions in a world shaped by urbanization, mobility, and both sexual and social liberation, as they confront contradictions with tradition, naïve self-perceptions and inherited privilege.

Yi Films was founded in Vienna in 2022 and focuses on international co-productions that share vision and expertise for its conceptual film projects. Yi Films has produced short films and documentaries. Currently, the company is developing "Pureland", "Manchild", and "Setting Roots".

C.B. Yi
As the company’s creative and structural backbone, a filmmaker must understand and engage with all departments. Being involved in production is crucial to best realize one’s artistic vision. With this approach, C.B. Yi has produced several short films and now aims for larger, ambitious collaborations.

Ulrike Kniesner
Engagement with film has been a consistent thread in her career — from market research for Constantin Film and EMTV during her time in strategic consulting in Beijing, to leading international communications for Fantasy Pictures (co-producer of Lou Ye’s “Summer Palace” and Wang Bing’s “Fengming”). She has collaborated with director C.B. Yi on films since 2007, including the short film “Little Precious" and the essay documentary “Emei, Viewed from a Galloping Horse”.