2024 ACTivate Residency Filmmaker

Weiying Olivia Huang is an independent documentary filmmaker whose works focus on art and culture, using visual storytelling to forge connections within communities. Over the past six years, she has completed four films, two of which feature both street and commissioned artists, documenting their creative processes and the inspirations behind their work. In 2020, her first feature documentary, “City As Canvas: Above The Free Walls,” highlighted the street artists of Modica Way in Cambridge’s Central Square. This film received awards for ‘Best Human Interest’ and ‘Best New England Documentary,’ and was showcased in several international film festivals. Her most recent film, “Art in Public” (2022), continues to explore public art and its impact on the community. Huang’s films exemplify her artistic practice, examining the dialogue between artists, space, and community. 

Project Statement

During her ACTivate residency, Olivia Huang and artist ponnapa prakkamakul created a short film that documents ponnapa’s creative and artistic process. The film explores ponnapa’s sources of inspiration and the execution of her works, showcasing how they resonate with people and the community.