Pang Foua XIong

cultural connections / community engagement

Pang Foua Xiong is a dedicated filmmaker who specializes in honoring and preserving the stories of Hmong elders through the art of video. Deeply inspired by the simplicity and emotional honesty of projects like Humans of New York, Pang Foua is committed to capturing raw, personal narratives—particularly those of refugee experiences and the lived histories of Elder Hmong individuals. Her work seeks to create lasting records for families and communities, ensuring that these valuable stories are not lost to time but instead cherished for generations to come.

Raised by parents whose own survival stories shaped her sense of gratitude and responsibility, Pang Foua draws profound motivation from their resilience. She feels fortunate to have been born in America and is deeply aware of the opportunities and resources available to her, which she strives to use meaningfully. This sense of gratitude fuels her commitment to storytelling as both preservation and art, offering families a way to honor their heritage and others a chance to understand and appreciate it.

As an artist and mother of five, Pang Foua navigates the complex balance of caring for her family while dedicating time and energy to her creative work. She firmly believes that storytelling has the power to resonate deeply, change perspectives, and inspire appreciation for life itself. Grounded by the support of passionate and caring people around her, she remains committed to using her creative expression to amplify voices, preserve history, and share the beauty and complexity of the Hmong experience with the world.

qualifications

Pang Foua Xiong is an emerging filmmaker specializing in documentary-style video production that focuses on recording and preserving the personal histories of Hmong elders and refugees. Her approach emphasizes authenticity and emotional connection, inspired by storytelling traditions that value simplicity and depth.

She is skilled in conceptualizing and producing intimate interviews and video portraits designed to serve as family keepsakes and cultural archives. Motivated by a strong belief in creative expression and its power to foster understanding and empathy, Pang Foua is committed to dedicating the necessary time and energy to her craft, even while balancing the responsibilities of being a mother to five children. She values collaboration, resourcefulness, and the importance of community support in sustaining meaningful artistic work.

Focus Areas

  • community engagement

  • Hmong oral histories processes

SKILLS

  • story development

  • interviewing

  • elder engagement

  • archiving

  • community program development

Teaching / work experience

  • site coordination for the Qhia Dab Neeg REtrospect Series at In Progress

  • oral histories lead for the Waterers Program at In Progress

LINKS