We recently connected with Sitong Ca0 and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Sitong thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?
Two projects come to mind that hold deep meaning for me in very different ways—Blooming and Anshan Diaries.
Blooming is a tiny, one-minute short, but it’s a pure passion project. My friend and I shot it in just two days, and it was an experiment in storytelling, kind of like stop-motion but with a quirky, playful energy. It was the first time I did everything myself—writing, directing, producing, editing, and even composing the score. It’s deeply personal, capturing my own emotions in a raw and unfiltered way. There was something incredibly liberating about working on a small-scale project with no external expectations—just creativity for the sake of creativity.
On the other end of the spectrum, Anshan Diaries was my first documentary experience, and it challenged me in ways narrative filmmaking hadn’t. I come from the same region as the director, and through the process of making the film, I found myself deeply connected to its themes and subjects. Documentary storytelling is so different from fiction—it’s unpredictable, intimate, and requires a kind of trust between the filmmaker and reality itself.
Working on these two vastly different projects reinforced something crucial for me: the power of storytelling. Whether it’s a fun, quirky personal experiment like Blooming or a deeply resonant, reality-driven film like Anshan Diaries, every story matters. Every approach—whether narrative, experimental, or documentary—offers a unique way to speak up, to share perspectives, and to create impact. These projects, in their own ways, reminded me why I do what I do.
Sitong, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I’ve always been deeply passionate about film and theatre—both as an art form and as a way to experience lives beyond our own. Growing up, I devoured films and stage productions, fascinated by the way stories could transport us, challenge perspectives, and create connections across cultures. That passion led me to pursue a career in storytelling, but my journey wasn’t exactly conventional.
I initially majored in finance, convincing myself that understanding budgets and financial management would be an asset in film producing. While that foundation has certainly helped, I soon realized my true calling was on the creative side, so I transitioned into media studies and production, focusing on film. Since then, I’ve worked across different areas of the industry—including producing, casting, and theatre—gaining a holistic understanding of what it takes to bring a project to life.
As a producer, my primary role is to help filmmakers turn their vision into reality. I take care of the logistics, planning, and problem-solving so that directors and artists can focus entirely on their creative work. Beyond production, I also assist with film festival strategies, helping projects navigate the festival circuit to reach the right audiences.
What sets me apart is my dedication to storytelling that speaks to underrepresented communities and brings diverse cultures to the forefront. I’m passionate about exploring the possibilities of storytelling—whether through bold experimental narratives, deeply personal documentaries, or films that resonate emotionally with audiences. I love working on projects that not only entertain but also spark conversations, challenge norms, and allow people to see something they’ve never seen before.
At the end of the day, my goal is simple: to champion meaningful, innovative stories and create a space for voices that deserve to be heard. Whether it’s through quirky experimental pieces or heartfelt documentaries, I want my work to leave a lasting impact—on the industry and on audiences.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
For me, the most rewarding aspect of being a creative is seeing a story come to life—the moment when an idea transforms from something abstract into a fully realized film or production. It’s an incredible feeling to collaborate with talented artists, problem-solve through the ups and downs of the process, and ultimately bring a vision to the screen.
Beyond the creative fulfillment, the real magic happens when an audience experiences the work. When people watch a film I’ve helped produce and genuinely connect with it—whether they laugh, cry, or see the world a little differently—that’s what makes it all worth it. Storytelling has the power to bridge cultures, spark empathy, and amplify voices that may not always be heard. It’s rewarding to know that my work can contribute to that, creating spaces where different perspectives are seen and felt.
Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?
One of the biggest things I wish I had understood earlier in my creative journey is the importance of networking. Early on, I thought that if I worked hard and created great work, opportunities would naturally come. But in reality, this industry is built on relationships—who you know, who knows your work, and the connections you build along the way.
Networking isn’t just about getting jobs; it’s about finding collaborators who inspire you, learning from people with different experiences, and opening doors to opportunities you might not even know existed. Some of the best projects I’ve worked on have come from organic conversations with fellow creatives, not just from formal applications or cold outreach.
Filmmaking, in particular, is one of the most collaborative art forms—it’s a people-driven industry, maybe more than anything else. A movie doesn’t happen because of just one person; it takes a whole team working together, problem-solving, and bringing their unique talents to create something greater than the sum of its parts. During production, everyone—from the director to the crew—becomes a temporary family, working toward the same vision.
I feel incredibly lucky to have met so many talented and kind people along the way—people who not only make the work better but also make the journey worthwhile. If I could go back, I’d tell my younger self to start building relationships sooner, to attend more industry events, to not be afraid to reach out to people whose work I admire, and to see networking as an essential part of the creative process—not just a means to an end.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: sitongcao
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sitong-cao-a1aa37190/
- Other: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm11328553/
Image Credits
The fiirst two pictures are from the short film I produced called Thus They Spoke (2022)
The third picture is from my short film Blooming.
The last one is me at Sundance film festival