Today we’d like to introduce you to Jinsui Song.
Hi Jinsui, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I have always been passionate about storytelling, and my journey to become a writer/director and editor has been shaped by a combination of personal experiences and professional opportunities. Growing up in Shenzhen, China, I was immersed in the world of Hong Kong movies and TVB series, and this sparked my interest in reading and writing stories from a young age.
In 2017, I earned my bachelor’s degree in screenwriting from Beijing Film Academy. My undergraduate thesis, THE TEST, was selected for several international film festivals. While I was proud of this achievement, I felt that I wanted to tell stories that would resonate with a broader audience, and I decided to pursue a graduate degree in directing. At UCLA’s Directing MFA program, I had the opportunity to work with a diverse cohort of students, many of whom were women and non-binary people of color. This environment helped me build confidence and find my voice as a filmmaker. Looking ahead, I endeavor to make films that center around the experiences of Chinese and Chinese-American women.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
When I first came to the States, I was full of excitement and ambition, but I quickly realized that I was in a completely different environment. As a Chinese film student, it was challenging to find my footing and figure out what kind of stories I wanted to tell. I remember feeling lost and uncertain, and my early works reflected that. Luckily, I met a lot of amazing collaborators inside and outside of school and was able to adapt my personal stories to the Asian community here. Last year, I shot my graduate thesis SOMETHING BLUE with the support of the Panavision New Filmmakers program. All the department heads are Asian/Asian-American women and non-binary people of color. We also have a cast full of Cantonese speakers.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Currently, I’m working as a writer/director and a freelance film editor. I just finished editing my classmate’s thesis CHAN IS FISHING and I’m editing another few student short films. I enjoy working as an editor because I get the chance to collaborate with other talented filmmakers and help with elaborating their visions. I’m also in the development of my next film project, exploring the loneliness and the desire of an elderly Asian woman. I’m very proud of the community that my collaborators and I have built through the filming of my previous projects. As a Chinese female filmmaker, I’ll continue to make films for the Chinese/Chinese-American community and tell stories about the many facets of womanhood.
Have you learned any interesting or important lessons due to the Covid-19 Crisis?
My second-year project TEQUILA SUNSET was shut down a week before production in 2020 because of Covid. It was a rough experience because I had been in preproduction for so long and was so ready to make the film and tell the story I had been prepping to share. However, months of quarantine have taught me patience and allowed me to spend more time with the story and the characters. In the summer of 2021, we finally got to make the film. Everyone was having a good time on set and I felt grateful for the opportunity to build this community and to make films together, especially after the height of covid. It was featured in the UCLA Directors Spotlight in 2022 and will have its US premiere at CAAMfest this year. I can’t wait to share this film with the audience in SF!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.jinsuisong.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jinsuisong/
Image Credits
SOMETHING BLUE
