Born in China, Keyu Chen studied animation at the Communication University of China in Beijing before moving to Canada in 2006 to attend the UQAT and the Laval University in Quebec City, graduating with a master’s in visual arts, and making her first film, Le Manque. Keyu first came to the National Film Board of Canada’s animation studios as part of the production team for Marie-Josée Saint-Pierre’s animated documentary Jutra. She went on to work on No Fish Where to Go, Mamie and Bus Story. Keyu won the 21st edition of the NFB’s Cinéaste recherché(e) competition, allowing her to direct her first professional animated film, Winds of Spring.