We were lucky to catch up with Xinyue(sherry) Pan recently and have shared our conversation below.

Xinyue(Sherry), looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

The most meaningful project I’m working on is my short film Catdle, a story about redemption and accepting death, inspired by my beloved cat. He came into my life when I was bedridden, and his companionship helped me recover. After I moved to the U.S., he stayed in China, comforting my family. Sadly, just when I hoped to see him again, he was diagnosed with late-stage lymphoma, and despite all our efforts, he passed away at only two years old.

Afterward, my parents buried his ashes at a temple in China, believing he would be reborn in a new form, according to Buddhist beliefs. I want to express this view in my film—I believe death isn’t the end, and he continues to exist somehow. He was like a candle on a winter night; his short life brightened my darkest days.

Catdle is set to release next May. I hope people connect with it and the love I’ll always have for him.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I decided that I wanted to work in the arts at a young age because I loved drawing. I’ve been pursuing this path ever since. During my undergraduate, I was fortunate to get into one of China’s top art academies, and I majored in Fiber Art. I’m deeply curious about different fields in art, but art itself is such a broad domain. While the skills can be transferable, creating fine artwork didn’t excite me emotionally. I wanted to tell stories. It took me time and a few detours, but I eventually found my way into the industry I truly love and have an enduring passion for animation.

Animation has been a huge influence on me since childhood. It created an ideal world in my mind and inspired me to keep pursuing my dreams. In grad school, I discovered the role of story artist, and it felt like the perfect fit. I love film, and writing, and dream of becoming a director, working with visuals and camera framing. I realized this is the career I want to pursue.

I’m most proud that my personality is well-suited for this role. I’m sensitive to subtle emotions in everyday life. I have a good sense of humor. I love adventure, talking to people, and learning their stories. A story artist needs different skills and experiences to tell meaningful stories that resonate with audiences. This has become my life goal. I’ll keep creating, drawing, and learning how to tell stories.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

During my first year at LightBox Expo, I was excited to bring my storyboard portfolio to an industry artist for a portfolio review. I felt confident at first because the feedback I received from my professors was always positive. The artist was very patient and provided detailed feedback, which I greatly appreciated. However, when I asked about internship opportunities, he told me I wasn’t yet at the level to be considered for one. I nervously handed him my business card but never received any follow-up connections. That experience blew my confidence, and I briefly lost faith in myself.

But I decided to keep going. While passing by a company booth at LightBox this year, I unexpectedly ran into that same artist again. I gave him my portfolio once more, and to my surprise, he remembered me! He told me that I had made great progress, that I was on the right track, and he was looking forward to seeing my work again next year. This encounter really encouraged me, and I’m so glad I didn’t give up. It reminded me that resilience and continued effort are key, and I believe I’ll carry that mindset forward in both my work and learning.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

I believe the most valuable aspect of being an artist is the ability to create fictional, entirely new, and imaginative stories and worlds that convey one’s values and emotions. Such works resonate with a wide audience, creating an interesting form of communication. While the world we all see may seem similar, the worlds and stories created by artists are vibrant and full of diversity.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://xinyuepan.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sherry_xyart/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/xinyue-pan-014a0b1a6/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@xinyue.art.2046