Sai thao

convergence filmmaker

biography

Sai Thao is an accomplished Hmong American filmmaker, teaching artist, and community leader based in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Born and raised in St. Paul, she discovered her passion for filmmaking at the young age of 13, producing her first videos as a teenager. By 18, she received her first grant as a filmmaker, marking the beginning of a career dedicated to using film as a tool for cultural storytelling and social change.

For over 20 years, Sai has produced experimental and documentary short films that have garnered national recognition and international audiences. Her work has been exhibited across the United States, Thailand, and Laos, demonstrating her commitment to sharing authentic Hmong and immigrant stories with viewers around the world. Her films often explore complex themes of cultural identity, family bonds, and generational experience, pushing the boundaries of documentary form to create deeply personal, emotionally resonant work.

Currently, she is in production on Hidden in my Heart (an unwritten letter), a 30-minute experimental documentary examining Hmong identity and the fragile bonds of family within her culture.

Beyond her own filmmaking, Sai is dedicated to building creative platforms for others. She is a co-founder of In Progress, a Minnesota-based nonprofit focused on amplifying the voices of young artists from rural, tribal, and migrant communities. Through her leadership and teaching, she has helped nurture new generations of filmmakers and artists, empowering them to share their own stories and perspectives. Sai served on In Progress’s board of directors from 2000 to 2009 and returned to the board in 2014, demonstrating her long-term commitment to the organization's mission and sustainability.

GOALS

I want to see my work expressed in the way I have always envisioned it. That means prioritizing my time so I can continue caring for my family while also creating space and opportunities to tell the stories that have been waiting to be told and bringing them to completion as finished works that can be shared with others.

I am prepared to present myself publicly as a professional artist, although my most recent background has not been centered on my creative work. However, I believe storytelling has always been a part of who I am, and I can use storytelling as a way to reconnect with audiences, share my experiences, and make my voice relevant in today’s conversations.

Objectives

to learn how to magically move my story in final cut pro.
to learn the buttons on a real video camera so I can capture like a cinematographer.
to learn sound and music, although I am unsure how that looks like at this point.
complete Hidden In My Heart for public sharing

Professional Support

I am still exploring what kind of support I need. More than anything, I want to learn and be in spaces where curiosity is encouraged. I want to reconnect with the creative process, experiment with new tools and ideas, and be surrounded by people who are passionate about storytelling.

I need support learning the ins and outs of Final Cut Pro to strengthen my editing skills and develop a deeper visual understanding of how to express my stories. I also need an introduction to beats, rhythm, and music so I can better understand how sound can shape the emotional experience of my stories. I would also value opportunities to collaborate with experienced filmmakers, editors, and musicians who can provide guidance, mentorship, and support as I work toward bringing my creative vision into a finished work.