Jessica Kingdon is a Chinese American director and producer.[1] She was nominated for the 2022 Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature for directing the documentary Ascension.[2][3]

Jessica Kingdon
EducationColumbia University (BA)
The New School (MA)
Occupation(s)documentary filmmaker, producer
SpouseNathan Truesdell
Parents

Career edit

Kingdon received her BA from Columbia University in 2009 and her MA in media studies from The New School in 2014.[4][5][6]

She directed the 2017 documentary Commodity City, which focuses on the lives of Chinese wholesalers in Yiwu International Trade City, the world's largest wholesale market.[5] The documentary won Best Documentary Short in the 2018 Ashland Independent Film Festival.[7]

Her documentary, Ascension, looks at China's growing economic progress and increasing economic divide against the backdrop of the pursuit of the Chinese Dream.[8][9][10] The film had its world premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival on June 12, 2021, and received critical acclaim.[11][12] The film was nominated for an Academy Award, a Gotham Award,[13] five Cinema Eye Honors,[14] a Directors Guild of America Award,[15] a Producers Guild of America Award,[16] and six Critics' Choice Documentary Awards.[17] The Chinese title of the documentary was inspired by a 1912 poem written by her great-great-grandfather, a member of the South Society who participated in the 1911 Revolution.[18]

Kingdon was named one of the "25 new faces of independent film" by Filmmaker magazine.[19] She was also named to the 2020 "40 under 40" list by Doc NYC.[20]

Personal life edit

Kingdon is the daughter of hedge fund manager Mark E. Kingdon and financier Anla Cheng, who is a member of the Committee of 100.[21][22] Her father is Jewish and her mother is Chinese.[23]

Kingdon is married to filmmaker Nathan Truesdell.[24]

References edit

  1. ^ "Tribeca 2021 Women Directors: Meet Jessica Kingdon – "Ascension"". womenandhollywood.com. Retrieved 2022-02-12.
  2. ^ Carey, Matthew (2022-02-01). "Smile, With 8 Teeth Showing: Remarkable Portrait Of China Emerges In Oscar-Shortlisted 'Ascension'". Deadline. Retrieved 2022-02-12.
  3. ^ "Documentary Feature Oscar Nominations 2022 - Oscars 2022 News | 94th Academy Awards". ABC. Retrieved 2022-02-12.
  4. ^ "Seven Columbia Films Receive 2022 Academy Award Nominations". Columbia - School of the Arts. Retrieved 2022-02-12.
  5. ^ a b "Commodity City: A Fascinating Glimpse Inside the World's Largest Wholesale Market". Colossal. 2018-05-15. Retrieved 2022-02-12.
  6. ^ "Jessica Kingdon". School of Media Studies. Retrieved 2022-02-12.
  7. ^ KTVL (2018-04-16). "2018 Ashland Independent Film Festival Juried and Audience Award winners". KTVL. Retrieved 2022-02-12.
  8. ^ "Oscar-shortlisted 'Ascension' captures chase of the 'Chinese Dream'". Reuters. 2022-01-12. Retrieved 2022-02-12.
  9. ^ Dollar, Steve (2022-01-24). "'Ascension' targets workers' struggles and China's economic divide". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2022-02-12.
  10. ^ "Ascension review – surreally fascinating snapshots of 'the Chinese dream'". the Guardian. 2022-01-16. Retrieved 2022-02-12.
  11. ^ Hunter2021-06-12T22:40:00+01:00, Allan. "'Ascension': Tribeca Review". Screen. Retrieved 2022-02-12.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  12. ^ Hipes, Patrick (2021-04-20). "Tribeca Film Festival Unveils Main Lineup For June Event". Deadline. Retrieved 2022-02-12.
  13. ^ Lattanzio, Ryan (2021-11-30). "Gotham Awards: 'The Lost Daughter' Wins Top Prize — See the Full List of Winners". IndieWire. Retrieved 2022-02-12.
  14. ^ Grobar, Matt (2021-11-10). "'Flee' & 'Summer Of Soul' Lead Cinema Eye Honors Nominations". Deadline. Retrieved 2022-02-12.
  15. ^ Lewis, Tyler Coates,Hilary; Coates, Tyler; Lewis, Hilary (2022-01-26). "DGA Awards: 'Succession' Dominates Drama Series Nominees; 'Summer of Soul' and 'The Rescue' Up for Documentary Prize". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2022-02-12.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  16. ^ Pedersen, Erik (2022-01-27). "PGA Awards Nominations: 'Licorice Pizza', 'Don't Look Up', 'Dune', 'King Richard' & 'CODA' Among Pics Vying For Marquee Prize". Deadline. Retrieved 2022-02-12.
  17. ^ Lattanzio, Ryan (2021-10-18). "'Ascension' and 'Summer of Soul' Lead Critics Choice Documentary Nominations". IndieWire. Retrieved 2022-02-12.
  18. ^ "MTV纪录片首度推出华裔导演新作《登楼叹》-侨报网". www.uschinapress.com. Retrieved 2022-02-12.
  19. ^ "25 New Faces of Independent Film | Filmmaker Magazine". Filmmaker Magazine | Publication with a focus on independent film, offering articles, links, and resources. 2013-07-18. Retrieved 2022-02-12.
  20. ^ "40 UNDER 40 - CLASS OF 2020". DOC NYC. Retrieved 2022-02-12.
  21. ^ "Kingdon To Receive Hamilton Award". www.college.columbia.edu. Retrieved 2022-02-12.
  22. ^ "MEMBERS | Committee 100". Retrieved 2022-02-12.
  23. ^ Rizov, Vadim (2017-09-14). "Jessica Kingdon | Filmmaker Magazine". Filmmaker Magazine | Publication with a focus on independent film, offering articles, links, and resources. Retrieved 2022-02-12.
  24. ^ "'Ascension' Documents China's Haves, Have-Nots, And Everyone In Between – Contenders Film: The Nominees". deadline.com. 5 March 2022. Retrieved 2022-04-02.

External links edit