Xie Fei is one of the most influential figures in Chinese cinema, not only for his films but also for his decades of teaching. He is also a professor at the Beijing Film Academy, Asia's largest film university, and a former vice-rector of education. Among his students was the world-renowned director Zhang Yimou (Red sorghum field), Chen Kaige (Farewell, my concubine!) and Jia Zhangke (Ancient rivers). Although he retired from film directing in the new millennium, he is still very active in the film scene, invited to give master classes and lectures at numerous universities and events, a regular jury member at several film festivals, and a writer of film reviews on his website. He is a regular guest at film festivals and film festivals An girl from Hunan (1986).