Vivan Qu was born in China. After studying Art History and Fine Arts in New York, she went back to China and became involved in independent filmmaking in China. She produced award-winning films such as Night Train (2007, Un Certain Regard, Cannes Film Festival), Knitting (2008, Director’s Fortnight), and Black Coal Thin Ice (2014, Golden Bear at the 2014 Berlin International Film Festival). Trap Street is her debut feature.