xiaolu wang

filmmaker

BIOGRAPHY

Xiaolu Wang is a documentary filmmaker, curator, translator, and multidisciplinary artist originally from the Hui Muslim Autonomous Region of China. Currently based in Minnesota, Xiaolu’s creative practice is deeply rooted in the exploration of interior landscapes—mapping emotion, identity, memory, and cultural dislocation through a decolonial lens. Their work bridges the personal and political, blending visual storytelling with poetry, translation, and sound to create contemplative, emotionally resonant experiences.

Xiaolu’s films have screened at local art spaces and international film festivals, earning recognition for their nuanced, meditative approach to storytelling. Their translation work, including contributions to publications like 單讀 (One Way Street Journal), reflects a deep commitment to linguistic bridge-building and cross-cultural dialogue. As a 2019 recipient of the Jerome Film and Media Grant, Xiaolu has continued to expand their creative voice through participation in highly respected programs such as the DocX Archive Lab (2021–2022), hosted by Duke University’s Center for Documentary Studies, and the inaugural Artists-in-Residence cohort at The On Being Project.

Their work has been supported by a number of institutions including the Jerome Foundation, UnionDocs, Women Make Movies, the Saint Paul Neighborhood Network, and the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council of Minnesota. In addition to filmmaking, Xiaolu enjoys reading Taoist texts, especially the Tao Te Ching, and hosting occasional podcast episodes. A cinephile and autodidact, Xiaolu is committed to community-centered media practices and the quiet power of artistic introspection.

QUALIFICATIONS

Xiaolu Wang is a proud self-taught filmmaker with extensive experience in cinematography, film editing, and sound recording. Their technical expertise includes proficiency in Adobe Premiere Pro, After Effects, and Photoshop. Xiaolu is skilled in portrait photography, podcast production, and the art of the interview, often weaving these elements into interdisciplinary projects.

As a curator and essayist, Xiaolu brings a critical and decolonial perspective to the presentation of contemporary media and storytelling. They are also a bilingual translator, specializing in Chinese-to-English literary and cultural texts. Their qualifications reflect a commitment to both the craft and theory of documentary storytelling, with a strong foundation in reflective practice, cultural ethics, and collaborative creation.

skills

  • cinematography

  • film editing

  • sound recording

  • portrait photography

  • podcasting

  • interviewing

  • curation

  • writing

  • translation (CN-EN)

  • software applications: Adobe Premiere, After Effects, and Photoshop

links