In 2023, we followed two students who fell through the cracks in traditional education and become proactive members in their community through alternative education.
ROLE:
Director, Editor, Producer
AWARDS:
"First Name Basis" has won 2024 Cayuga Film Festival College Documentary Award of Distinction and has also been selected in 2024 Trenton Film Festival Regional Documentary
ARTIST INSPIRATION:
As an international student from China, I feel like I have a unique point-of-view on the United States and education in particular. After reviewing my journal that I wrote in middle and high school, I found that most of my entries were complaints about the pressure to be admitted to top colleges, critiques from my teachers, and difficulties I had to reach my parents’ expectations. Because of my struggles, I am passionate to learn and investigate the diversified education system and alternative opportunities in America. I would like to explore the purpose of education, the effect of education on student success, and how schools prepare students to find their passion through this documentary.
