The UAE became an unexpected crossroads for global cinema when Janet Yang — President of Janet Yang Productions and the first Asian American to lead the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences — shared the BRIDGE Summit 2025 stage with legendary director and Jackie Chan collaborator Stanley Tong. In a session titled “Foresights from a Lifetime in Cinema,” the two cinematic powerhouses traced their journeys across continents, explored how film can bridge cultures in an increasingly divided world, and — to the delight of the audience — hinted at the possibility of a future collaboration seeded right on the Summit stage.
At BRIDGE Summit 2025 — the world’s largest debut media event — taking place in Abu Dhabi, ADNEC, Yang spoke candidly about her rise from a complete lack of representation to becoming one of the most influential figures in Hollywood. She described how discovering Chinese cinema in her youth reshaped her sense of identity and purpose.
“I grew up not ever seeing anyone that looked like me on screen or on stage or in books or anywhere, though I love movies, and somehow, decades later, I was able to become president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. How did that happen? By following my heart, my passion,” she said. She traced her path from running small film screenings to distributing Chinese films to American audiences — a mission that eventually led her to work with Steven Spielberg on Empire of the Sun and later produce landmark films like The Joy Luck Club.
Stanley Tong — Executive Producer, Director & Screenwriter at China Film International Media — reflected on a career shaped by unexpected opportunities, disciplined craft, and global ambition. Though he began as a stuntman, Tong said it was the “right people at the right moment” who opened the doors to international influence.
“I became a writer, director, producer, and I was lucky that for my second film, I was invited by Golden Harvest to direct Jackie Police Story, starring Jackie Chan. I used to train Michelle Yeo back in 1986 so I invited Michelle to come and join the movie. So I got the chance to direct Jackie and Michelle 34 years ago, and that was my first breakthrough. The movie broke some records in Asia, and Jackie got the first Best Actor Award.”
Midway through the session, moderator Suzanne Kianpou, Founder of Helmet to Heels, asked the question many in the room were quietly hoping for: Would Yang and Tong ever work together? Yang laughed and replied, “Oh, because you heard us talking backstage! We have similar interests. Stanley being born in Hong Kong and having worked all over the world, and I was born in New York and have gone to the eastern hemisphere a lot. So, yes, naturally, there’s a lot of synergy there.”
The tease of a collaboration — mentioned for the first time publicly — electrified the room.
“Foresights from a Lifetime in Cinema” forms part of the 300+ session programme reflecting BRIDGE Summit’s scale and ambition. The debut edition of BRIDGE Summit 2025 takes place from 8–10 December at ADNEC in Abu Dhabi.
For more information and to register, visit https://www.bridgesummit.com/en/.
