Jingyi Shao | Writer/Director

Jingyi Shao | Writer/Director

(He/Him)

Born in Shanghai, China and raised in the suburbs of New Jersey, Jingyi Shao was drawn to storytelling as way of reconciling his often-clashing multicultural backgrounds. A lover of both Hollywood classic and World arthouse cinema, Jingyi (or Jing as friends call him) strives to bring together in his works different and disparate influences and cultures.  For him, it’s not only a celebration of diversity, but also a reflection of his core belief that film is the ultimate medium by which eyes are opened, hearts filled, souls nourished.  He hopes that his works can inspire audiences to be a little bit more curious, not only about the world but also themselves.  

Chang Can Dunk is Jing’s feature film debut as writer and director.  A coming-of-age sports comedy that follows an ambitious but misguided teen who makes an impossible basketball wager in order to win the respect of his peers, Chang brings 90’s John Hughes into the social media era. The film’s script placed 2nd on the 2020 Black List before it was picked up and produced as a Disney+ Original.  Chang was released in early 2023, earning critic’s picks from the New York Times and Variety along with Jing being named to Variety’s 2023 Directors to Watch list. The film has also been nominated for two Children & Family Emmys.  

Jingyi’s breakthrough credit is the feature film Chang Can Dunk 

Back to Breakthrough >