New York, NY - Xiaoying Su, a vibrant young documentary filmmaker based in New York, is making waves with her latest film, "FIGHTING BACK." Premiering at the 12th Workers Unite Film Festival in New York City on November 2, the documentary delves into issues of justice within the AAPI community and the empowerment of women. Centered on Jessica Ng, a first-generation Hong Kong Chinese American and international Muay Thai fighter, the film highlights her efforts to empower AAPI women through self-defense classes amidst a surge in anti-Asian hate crimes.
Poster of Fighting Back. Image Courtesy of Xiaoying SU.
Inspired by a 2022 New Yorker article on AAPI women attending self-defense classes, Su and her team spent nearly two years interviewing over seven survivors of anti-Asian hate crimes and collaborating with more than ten local non-profit organizations. The film addresses generational trauma and racial identity, offering a profound visual narrative that echoes Su’s artistic vision and commitment to social justice. Since starting the project, Su has received support from industry experts and organizations, including a screening event hosted by BNP Paribas USA's Asian Employee Resource Group during Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, reaching an audience of 1.45 million followers.
The film screening of “Fighting Back” at BNP Paribas USA's Asian Employee Resource Group. Image Courtesy of BNP Paribas.
"FIGHTING BACK" has been recognized globally. Additionally, it has been featured in the Hamilton New York International Film Festival (HNYIFF) 2024, an award-winning festival in New York State. HNYIFF is regularly named a “Top 100 Best Festival” by Filmfreeway, the world’s largest film submission platform representing over 11,000 festivals. The documentary has also been a Quarter-Finalist at the New York International Film Awards 2024 and an Official Selection at the Toronto Film Award 2024. Moreover, it was awarded the Finalist for the NAAAP-NY Project Grant.
Xiaoying Su's dedication to social justice and female empowerment is evident in her films and community work. Her educational background has provided a strong theoretical and practical foundation for her filmmaking endeavors. She holds dual master's degrees in Social Documentary Film from the School of Visual Arts in New York and Broadcast Television from the Communication University of China (CUC).
Su’s filmmaking journey began in 2017 with the feature film "Love Story in Xiangxi," directed by Flint-Lee, where she served as a co-editor.The film was well-received at the 27th China Golden Rooster and Hundred Flowers Film Festival and was listed as the National Film of the Year 2018. It received National Film Boutique Special Funding and was nationwide released in over 100 cinemas in major cities across China, presented as a tribute film for the 60th anniversary of Xiangxi autonomous prefecture establishment.
In 2021, Su moved to New York to pursue her passion for documentary filmmaking. Her first short documentary, "First Saké Brewery in New York," was officially selected for DOC NYC 2022, the largest documentary festival in the United States. The film, co-produced with renowned filmmaker Frank Vitale, also screened at the Maui Film Festival and Ethnografilm Paris, showcasing Su's ability to weave cross-cultural narratives.
Xiaoying Su at the DOC NYC Film Festival. Image Courtesy of DOC NYC.
Xiaoying Su's portfolio includes several other impactful documentaries and narrative films. "Cristina Demaro" (2022), a short documentary co-produced with Frank Vitale, explores social justice and civil rights through the lens of a New York minstrel's guitar performances. Her international narrative feature, "We Need To Be With Each Other" (2022), co-directed with Flint-Lee, won Best Director at the 9th Noida International Film Festival and Best Feature Film at the 9th Around International Film Festival (ARFF). It was also an IMDb Award Qualifier and part of China's National Critical Cultural Export Project 2021-2022. The film aired on CCTV 6 Film Channel during prime time and had a successful theatrical release in major Chinese cities.
Beyond filmmaking, Xiaoying Su is actively involved in community service. She serves as the Director of Women in the National Association of Asian American Professionals (NAAAP), New York Chapter, where she empowers and educates Asian American women, fostering their success and contributions to their communities. Su has shared her experiences in the filmmaking industry on platforms like Film Sessions™ Podcast, available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
Xiaoying Su Working as Director of Women in NAAAP-NY. Image Courtsey of NAAAP.
Her latest documentary, "FIGHTING BACK," has generated positive reactions within the community, underscoring her relentless pursuit of meaningful storytelling. As the film reaches wider audiences, Su's influence on the AAPI community and global social justice continues to grow, bridging cross-cultural gaps and fostering understanding.
For more information about Xiaoying Su's work and to view the "FIGHTING BACK" trailer, visit FIGHTING BACK Film.
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