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WINTER SOLSTICE

OUR STORY

TEAM

SUPPORT US

Donate

WINTER SOLSTICE

OUR STORY

TEAM

SUPPORT US

Donate

OUR STORY

TEAM

SUPPORT US

Donate

winter solstice

AN AFI THESIS SHORT FILM

A LETTER FROM THE FILMMAKERS

THE VISION BEHIND WINTER SOLSTICE

In this intimate Chinese immigrant family drama, Ting, a young woman living in the U.S., helps her teenage brother prepare for an elite American high school interview by sharing a childhood drawing that once meant everything to her. But when Henry uses her private memory to shape his own success story, Ting’s growing sense of individualism clashes with the family belief that love means sharing, sacrificing, and belonging to one another.

This film explores how love and neglect can exist at the same time within a family, especially through the relationship between siblings. It's about how we often don't recognize the sacrifices—no matter how small—made by the people closest to us until much later. Ultimately, Winter Solstice asks: Can love truly endure when your own identity has been sacrificed for the people you love?

MEET THE TEAM

Director & Co-Writer Marine Zhou

Marine Zhou is a Chinese filmmaker based in Los Angeles, currently pursuing her MFA in Directing at the American Film Institute Conservatory. She graduated with First-Class Honors from the University of Nottingham Ningbo China, where she studied International Communications. Her short film YOYO’S SUMMER (2024) has been selected and recognized by festivals including the China-Canada International Film Festival, the Toronto Nollywood International Film Festival, and the Gyeongju Hwarang Youth Short Film Festival. Drawing from her experience growing up in China and living abroad, her work explores family, cultural identity, personal growth, and the quiet emotional complexities of everyday life.

Production Designer Caiyu Song

Caiyu Song is a filmmaker and production designer currently pursuing an MFA in Production Design at the American Film Institute Conservatory. Drawing from experiences across China, Canada, and the United States, she brings a multicultural perspective to visual storytelling. Her work focuses on creating immersive cinematic worlds that support character, emotion, and narrative, with particular interests in drama, thriller, horror, and fantasy. Through her training and collaborations at AFI, she has developed a strong balance between creative vision and practical execution, approaching filmmaking as both a craft and a powerful form of human connection.

Co-Writer Jacob Boelman

Jacob Boelman recently graduated from the University of Montana with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Media Arts. He produced and directed the feature documentary PAXSON: A HOME IN COMMON, which won Best Documentary at the 2024 Alexandria Film Festival. He is an accomplished writer and his most recent feature script, THE BROKEN TRILOGY, received second place in the 2024 Ivy Film Festival and was a finalist at the Catalina Film Festival. Jacob is currently pursuing his MFA in Screenwriting at the American Film Institute Conservatory. He specializes in storytelling involving family dynamics and interpersonal conflicts.

Cinematographer Molin Liu

Molin is a cinematographer working between China and the United States. He studied film production at Emerson College and later pursued graduate studies in film theory at the University of Cambridge. He is currently a Cinematography Fellow at the American Film Institute Conservatory. Through cinematography, lighting, and the textures of physical spaces, he seeks to capture the emotions that characters are unable—or unwilling—to express directly. His work has been selected and/or screened at festivals including the Tokyo International Short Film Festival, the New York International Short Film Festival, the European Film Festival, USA Film Festival, LA Shorts, Indie Short Fest, San Francisco Arthouse Short Festival, Rome Prisma Film Awards, DOC NYC, and others.

Producer Frances Chiu

Frances Chiu is a Taiwanese producer based in Los Angeles. She recently graduated from California State University, Northridge with a focus in film editing. Her background in post production shaped her approach to emotionally driven storytelling and visual rhythm. Frances later had the opportunity to produce an AFI Conservatory thesis film, gaining experience in physical production and creative collaboration.

Editor Zhilu Zeng

Zhilu Zeng is an award-winning film editor and currently an Editing Fellow at the American Film Institute (AFI). Holding a B.A. in Film Production from Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, she previously honed her realistic storytelling skills editing documentaries at Guizhou Television. As an independent editor, Zhilu excels at shaping intimate, character-driven narratives through nuanced visual language. Her work has garnered significant international recognition; most notably, the short film ONE MORE CHANCE, which she edited, was named a Semi-Finalist at the prestigious Flickers’ Rhode Island International Film Festival (an Oscar-qualifying festival) and competed at the 2024 Shanghai International Short Film Week.

SUPPORT WINTER SOLSTICE

Thank you for considering a donation to Winter Solstice. Independent filmmaking is always a collaborative effort, and every contribution—large or small—helps transform a deeply personal story into a film that can reach audiences around the world!

Our goal is to raise $35,000 to support every stage of production, including locations, production design, equipment, transportation, meals for our cast and crew, and the sound and color work that will bring the film to its final form.

Winter Solstice is an intimate story about family, immigration, memory, and the quiet sacrifices we make for the people we love. We hope this film resonates with anyone who has ever searched for a place to belong while trying to hold onto their own identity.

As an AFI Conservatory Thesis Film, all donations are made through the American Film Institute, a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Your contribution may be tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.

Thank you for believing in our story and for helping us bring Winter Solstice to life! :)

In-Kind Donations

Filmmaking depends on the generosity of a community. In addition to financial contributions, we welcome in-kind support such as locations, props, costumes, catering, transportation, equipment, lodging, or professional services. These contributions allow us to dedicate more of our budget to bringing the story to the screen. If you'd like to support the film in another way, we'd love to hear from you.

Corporate Matching Gifts

Many employers offer matching gift programs that can double or even triple charitable donations made by their employees. Because Winter Solstice is produced through the American Film Institute, a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, your donation may qualify for a corporate match. We encourage you to check with your employer's HR or community giving program to see if matching gifts are available.

Tax-Deductible Donations

The American Film Institute is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the art of the moving image through education and storytelling. Donations made through AFI in support of Winter Solstice may be tax-deductible as allowed by law.

EVERY CONTRIBUTION MATTERS

No matter the size of your gift, your support becomes a meaningful part of Winter Solstice. Every donation helps us bring this story to life, and we are deeply grateful for everyone who chooses to be part of this journey.

As a small token of our appreciation, we would like to recognize our supporters in the following ways:

Up to $2,499
Recognition in the film's Special Thanks credits.

$2,500 – $4,999
Recognition as an Associate Producer.

$5,000 and above
Recognition as an Executive Producer.

More importantly than any credit, your generosity allows a deeply personal story to find its audience.

Thank you for believing in our film.

Thank You!

Every film begins with a story, but it is brought to life by the people who choose to believe in it.

Thank you for being part of Winter Solstice. Your support helps us tell a story about family, identity, and the quiet ways love endures. We look forward to sharing the finished film with you.

FROM TEAM WINTER SOLSTICE

2021 N Western Ave,
Los Angeles, CA 90027

ZZHOU4@AFI.EDU