SHEDDING: A Dancer's Journey of Self-Reinvention
New York City, New York | Film Feature
Documentary, Biography
Trailblazing Chinese immigrant dancer Xin Ying prepares to take her final bow after over a decade at the Martha Graham Dance Company. With her next chapter unwritten, she’s determined to shape the legacy of American modern dance—not just as a performer, but as a leading force in its future.
SHEDDING: A Dancer's Journey of Self-Reinvention
New York City, New York | Film Feature
Documentary, Biography
1 Campaigns | North Carolina, United States
23 supporters | followers
Enter the amount you would like to pledge
$1,855
Goal: $7,500 for production
Trailblazing Chinese immigrant dancer Xin Ying prepares to take her final bow after over a decade at the Martha Graham Dance Company. With her next chapter unwritten, she’s determined to shape the legacy of American modern dance—not just as a performer, but as a leading force in its future.
Participating In
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
SHEDDING is a feature documentary about trailblazing Chinese immigrant dancer Xin Ying—a principal dancer at the iconic Martha Graham Dance Company—on the cusp of a profound turning point. After more than a decade at the top of her field, she prepares to step away from the stage and begins exploring how she might continue shaping the future of American modern dance.
Through vérité moments, improvised dance, personal archives, and intimate interviews, SHEDDING follows Xin Ying over two transformative years as she reflects on her past and redefines her future—navigating the complexity of cultural representation, building legacy, and harnessing immense courage and resilience to break barriers and lead as an artist, a mother, and an immigrant woman in America.
Amidst rising anti-Asian sentiment, political polarization, and challenges facing arts organizations, SHEDDING offers a vital and nuanced viewpoint. Focusing on Xin Ying's personal story, the film sheds light on the lives of immigrant women/artists and their processes of constructing, reclaiming, and redefining cultural narratives. It fosters contemplation on diasporic experiences, cultural belonging, identity, leadership, and the importance of self-determination in navigating a world not built for you.
We began filming with Xin Ying in New York in February 2025 and will continue through her final tour as principal dancer, culminating in her farewell performance in China in fall 2026.
*** We are asking $7500 to help support our production costs through 2025 ***
- Your support will help us document this once-in-a-lifetime story by covering the wages for our all-women and BIPOC-led crew
- Travel costs across multiple cities
- Equipment rentals
- Interviews with Xin Ying’s family, collaborators, and mentors
- Archival research and licensing
If we exceed our initial goal of $7,500 and reach $15,000, we will be able to not only cover our immediate needs for 2025 production costs but also a significant portion of the remaining 2026 production costs (including Xin Ying's final tour in China).
Any additional funds will directly support:
- Post-production: editing, color grading, sound mix, and original score
- Marketing: poster design, trailer cut, and PR outreach
- Film festival submissions
Pledge: No amount is too small. Every dollar brings us closer to telling a story that matters. Your pledge goes directly towards the production cost, including paying our crew and equipment rental.
Follow: Click the “Follow” button right here on the Seed & Spark campaign page! By doing so, you can help us unlock extra benefits offered by Seed & Spark. If we can reach 350 followers, we will have the chance to be considered for additional funding opportunities through Gold House.
Share: We believe in the power of community to move mountains! Please share our campaign with your friends and families, your community, and anyone who might be interested in this story and who supports independent filmmaking.
Engage: We would love to keep you informed about the progress of our film. Please follow our journey HERE and on Instagram @sheddingdocumentary to receive updates!
YOUR DONATION IS TAX-DEDUCTIBLE!
SHEDDING is a fiscally sponsored project of Film Independent, a non-profit independent media arts organization. Film Independent will receive grants for the charitable purposes of SHEDDING, provide oversight to ensure that grant funds are used in accordance with grant agreements, and provide reports as required by the grantor. Contributions for the charitable purposes of SHEDDING must be made payable to Film Independent and are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Film Equipment
Costs $2,000
To rent essential gear that ensures our footage is captured with the quality and care this story deserves.
Crew Wages
Costs $3,000
To fairly compensate our amazing all-women and BIPOC-led production crew for their time, talent, and dedication..
Catering for the Team
Costs $1,000
To keep our cast and crew nourished and energized during long production days—nobody works well on an empty stomach!
Travel Expenses
Costs $1,500
To cover transportation for our team to filming locations. (including oversee locations)
Share this update!
About This Team
JINGQIU GUAN | Director
Originally from Chengdu, China, Jingqiu Guan is an independent filmmaker and choreographer based in Los Angeles. From the Chinese Theater in Hollywood to the National Performing Art Center in China, her dance films and documentaries have been screened in a number of screendance festivals and film festivals in various cities in the US, the UK, Norway, Spain, Austria, Mexico, mainland China, and Hong Kong. Her dance film "Family Portrait" won the 2020 Chinese Screendance Maker Award from Jumping Frames International Video Dance Festival in HK, Best Student Film Award from San Francisco Dance Film Festival and the Grand Jury Award from Chicago’s In Motion Dance Film Festival. Her documentary film "Inside the Frame" won the Best Editing Award for the documentary shorts category at Silver State Film Festival.
SELENA LEONI | Producer
Selena Leoni is a transnational producer and executive with over a decade of interdisciplinary experience in film, television, and multimedia. Shaped by her upbringing in Italy and China, Selena offers a unique perspective, fostering a profound understanding of globalized storytelling. She has led diverse projects across genres that reached various platforms, including STARZ, Amazon Prime, and Apple TV. Notably, her works have earned recognition at prestigious festivals: BIENVENIDOS A LOS ANGELES was on the Shortlist for the 2024 Academy Awards, EID MUBARAK received an Honorable Mention on the 2024 Gold List, and HAINT was a finalist at the 2024 Tribeca and Chanel Through Her Lens Program, currently being produced under the 2025 Hillman Grad Rising Voices Program. Her feature film, YOUNG KING, the debut feature of Emmy-Winning director Bryant Griffin, premiered at the 2024 American Black Film Festival and screened at the 2024 Austin Film Festival. As a member of BAFTA Connect, Berlinale Talents, Gold House Futures, and Film Independent's Project Involve, Selena actively advocates for social inclusion and amplifies historically marginalized voices within the industry.
OLAA OLABI | Cinematographer
Olaa Olabi is a first-generation Syrian-American cinematographer based in Brooklyn, NYC. From a young age, she developed a passion for documenting the world around her, capturing the nuances and intimacy of human emotion on the family camcorder. This early love for storytelling through the lens has evolved into a style that continues to prioritize the initial values of authenticity and emotional depth. Her latest feature, Lady Parts, has earned widespread acclaim on the festival circuit, including the Jury Award for Comedy Vanguard Feature at the Austin Film Festival. Her short film, No Other Gods But Me, also garnered recognition, winning award such as Best Narrative Short: Jury Special Mention at the Atlanta Film Festival and was also featured on NoBudge where it remains one of the top-viewed films.
KARAM SALEM | Composer
Born and raised in Baghdad, Iraq, Karam Salem is an Emmy-nominated composer and multi-instrumentalist. He is best known for his worldly and versatile approach to film and TV scoring. Recently, Karam scored a feature film Young King directed by Bryant Griffin and an Emmy Award-winning documentary L.A. Rebellion: A Cinematic Movement in collaboration with PBS SoCal and KCET. Karam has also scored numerous TV series produced in the Middle East. Previously, Karam co-scored with Alex Geringas Woody Woodpecker (short TV series) for Universal and Chuggington (Season 6) for Disney Jr. In addition, Karam has written additional music for over 500 episodes of animation TV series, including Trollstopia, I Heart Arlo, Trolls: The Beat Goes On, and Home: Adventures with Tip & Oh.
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
SHEDDING is a feature documentary about trailblazing Chinese immigrant dancer Xin Ying—a principal dancer at the iconic Martha Graham Dance Company—on the cusp of a profound turning point. After more than a decade at the top of her field, she prepares to step away from the stage and begins exploring how she might continue shaping the future of American modern dance.
Through vérité moments, improvised dance, personal archives, and intimate interviews, SHEDDING follows Xin Ying over two transformative years as she reflects on her past and redefines her future—navigating the complexity of cultural representation, building legacy, and harnessing immense courage and resilience to break barriers and lead as an artist, a mother, and an immigrant woman in America.
Amidst rising anti-Asian sentiment, political polarization, and challenges facing arts organizations, SHEDDING offers a vital and nuanced viewpoint. Focusing on Xin Ying's personal story, the film sheds light on the lives of immigrant women/artists and their processes of constructing, reclaiming, and redefining cultural narratives. It fosters contemplation on diasporic experiences, cultural belonging, identity, leadership, and the importance of self-determination in navigating a world not built for you.
We began filming with Xin Ying in New York in February 2025 and will continue through her final tour as principal dancer, culminating in her farewell performance in China in fall 2026.
*** We are asking $7500 to help support our production costs through 2025 ***
- Your support will help us document this once-in-a-lifetime story by covering the wages for our all-women and BIPOC-led crew
- Travel costs across multiple cities
- Equipment rentals
- Interviews with Xin Ying’s family, collaborators, and mentors
- Archival research and licensing
If we exceed our initial goal of $7,500 and reach $15,000, we will be able to not only cover our immediate needs for 2025 production costs but also a significant portion of the remaining 2026 production costs (including Xin Ying's final tour in China).
Any additional funds will directly support:
- Post-production: editing, color grading, sound mix, and original score
- Marketing: poster design, trailer cut, and PR outreach
- Film festival submissions
Pledge: No amount is too small. Every dollar brings us closer to telling a story that matters. Your pledge goes directly towards the production cost, including paying our crew and equipment rental.
Follow: Click the “Follow” button right here on the Seed & Spark campaign page! By doing so, you can help us unlock extra benefits offered by Seed & Spark. If we can reach 350 followers, we will have the chance to be considered for additional funding opportunities through Gold House.
Share: We believe in the power of community to move mountains! Please share our campaign with your friends and families, your community, and anyone who might be interested in this story and who supports independent filmmaking.
Engage: We would love to keep you informed about the progress of our film. Please follow our journey HERE and on Instagram @sheddingdocumentary to receive updates!
YOUR DONATION IS TAX-DEDUCTIBLE!
SHEDDING is a fiscally sponsored project of Film Independent, a non-profit independent media arts organization. Film Independent will receive grants for the charitable purposes of SHEDDING, provide oversight to ensure that grant funds are used in accordance with grant agreements, and provide reports as required by the grantor. Contributions for the charitable purposes of SHEDDING must be made payable to Film Independent and are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Film Equipment
Costs $2,000
To rent essential gear that ensures our footage is captured with the quality and care this story deserves.
Crew Wages
Costs $3,000
To fairly compensate our amazing all-women and BIPOC-led production crew for their time, talent, and dedication..
Catering for the Team
Costs $1,000
To keep our cast and crew nourished and energized during long production days—nobody works well on an empty stomach!
Travel Expenses
Costs $1,500
To cover transportation for our team to filming locations. (including oversee locations)
Share this update!
About This Team
JINGQIU GUAN | Director
Originally from Chengdu, China, Jingqiu Guan is an independent filmmaker and choreographer based in Los Angeles. From the Chinese Theater in Hollywood to the National Performing Art Center in China, her dance films and documentaries have been screened in a number of screendance festivals and film festivals in various cities in the US, the UK, Norway, Spain, Austria, Mexico, mainland China, and Hong Kong. Her dance film "Family Portrait" won the 2020 Chinese Screendance Maker Award from Jumping Frames International Video Dance Festival in HK, Best Student Film Award from San Francisco Dance Film Festival and the Grand Jury Award from Chicago’s In Motion Dance Film Festival. Her documentary film "Inside the Frame" won the Best Editing Award for the documentary shorts category at Silver State Film Festival.
SELENA LEONI | Producer
Selena Leoni is a transnational producer and executive with over a decade of interdisciplinary experience in film, television, and multimedia. Shaped by her upbringing in Italy and China, Selena offers a unique perspective, fostering a profound understanding of globalized storytelling. She has led diverse projects across genres that reached various platforms, including STARZ, Amazon Prime, and Apple TV. Notably, her works have earned recognition at prestigious festivals: BIENVENIDOS A LOS ANGELES was on the Shortlist for the 2024 Academy Awards, EID MUBARAK received an Honorable Mention on the 2024 Gold List, and HAINT was a finalist at the 2024 Tribeca and Chanel Through Her Lens Program, currently being produced under the 2025 Hillman Grad Rising Voices Program. Her feature film, YOUNG KING, the debut feature of Emmy-Winning director Bryant Griffin, premiered at the 2024 American Black Film Festival and screened at the 2024 Austin Film Festival. As a member of BAFTA Connect, Berlinale Talents, Gold House Futures, and Film Independent's Project Involve, Selena actively advocates for social inclusion and amplifies historically marginalized voices within the industry.
OLAA OLABI | Cinematographer
Olaa Olabi is a first-generation Syrian-American cinematographer based in Brooklyn, NYC. From a young age, she developed a passion for documenting the world around her, capturing the nuances and intimacy of human emotion on the family camcorder. This early love for storytelling through the lens has evolved into a style that continues to prioritize the initial values of authenticity and emotional depth. Her latest feature, Lady Parts, has earned widespread acclaim on the festival circuit, including the Jury Award for Comedy Vanguard Feature at the Austin Film Festival. Her short film, No Other Gods But Me, also garnered recognition, winning award such as Best Narrative Short: Jury Special Mention at the Atlanta Film Festival and was also featured on NoBudge where it remains one of the top-viewed films.
KARAM SALEM | Composer
Born and raised in Baghdad, Iraq, Karam Salem is an Emmy-nominated composer and multi-instrumentalist. He is best known for his worldly and versatile approach to film and TV scoring. Recently, Karam scored a feature film Young King directed by Bryant Griffin and an Emmy Award-winning documentary L.A. Rebellion: A Cinematic Movement in collaboration with PBS SoCal and KCET. Karam has also scored numerous TV series produced in the Middle East. Previously, Karam co-scored with Alex Geringas Woody Woodpecker (short TV series) for Universal and Chuggington (Season 6) for Disney Jr. In addition, Karam has written additional music for over 500 episodes of animation TV series, including Trollstopia, I Heart Arlo, Trolls: The Beat Goes On, and Home: Adventures with Tip & Oh.