ABOUT THE PROJECT

Learn More About This Documentary

Chinese Girl Wants Vote is a documentary-style short film produced by Jinna Kim about lesser-known suffragist Dr. Mabel Ping-Hua Lee. Produced during quarantine, the project was originally created in response to growing anti-Asian sentiment amidst COVID-19, in celebration of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, and the centennial of the passage of the 19th amendment for the constitutional right for American women to vote.

Her 5-minute docu-film is a successful example of inclusive collaboration showcasing diverse faces. Combining her classical music training with academic scholarship, eye for photography, and voice for storytelling in the neatly bound medium of video, Jinna captures the story in a powerful, short message about an important figure in human history.

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Directed, Written, and Produced by Jinna Kim

Jinna was listed as Charlotte Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 in 2019. Originally trained in classical music, Jinna began her professional career in arts administration in 2003, having graduated magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa at the University of Illinois. There, she played in the orchestra and exhibited photography at the Illini Union.

She moved to New York City to manage fundraising databases at the Public Theater, also known for Shakespeare in Central Park and Joe’s Pub. Jinna went on to manage the fundraising research department at MoMA where she exhibited photography behind-the-scenes at the staff art show. While in NYC, Jinna received fellowships from Korea Society and the Association of Professional Researchers for Advancement.

After completing her MBA at the University of Virginia in 2011, Jinna moved to Charlotte to work at a major bank. Still based in Charlotte, Jinna continues to display photography at local galleries and performs in many nonprofit and commercial productions.

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Other Credits

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Tim Jameson edited the docu-film and is a Charlotte-area black filmmaker. The film score was produced by UNC professor Cristina "Trinity" Vélez-Justo, who also submitted her composer's reel in this festival (see it here). The other original music came from Jinna's high school and college musician friends (as she used to play in an orchestra with them). Jinna's husband, Kirk Halliburton, provided additional editing, and all others who appeared in the film are local friends and community members who volunteered their time and self-tapes / recordings from wherever they were quarantined. Jinna also consulted with additional Asian-Americans behind-the-scenes, including one of the voices in the film, Dr. Min Jiang (another University of North Carolina professor).

 
Original Viola Music by Jessica Arce-Larreta 
Original Flute Music by Jennifer Kallend 

Actors Featured: 
(in order of appearance) 

Katrin Hilbe (audio only) 
Jinna Kim 
Rachel Kanakanui 
Anna Dorsch 
Ella Dorsch 
Lorayn DeLuca (see her actor monologue submission here!)
Keya Hamilton 
Leana Guzman 
Dr. Min Jiang (audio only) 

Behind-the-scenes thanks to Rachel Petsiavas (production assistant) and Taylor Montalto (script assistant).