Filmmaker Erica Eng, is a fifth-generation Chinese American director based out of Los Angeles. Her film “Americanized” is based on her experiences playing high school basketball. Growing up in Oakland’s hip-hop culture, Eng struggles with her Chinese American identity. To her high school basketball team, she’s just that girl who sits on the bench, but to the Asian kids she’s “Americanized.” As her sophomore year of high school comes to an end, Eng tries to find a sense of belonging within the two worlds that don’t accept her.
“Americanized” premiered on Vimeo’s Short of the Week and took home 18 awards including Palm Springs International ShortFest (Young Cineastes Award), Bentonville Film Festival (Best Short Film), and the Oscar-qualifying award at Cinequest (Best Dramatic Short).
Recently, Erica became one out of six directors hand-selected for Disney’s Launchpad Shorts Incubator program where she will be mentored by executives from Marvel Studios and Lucasfilm as she directs a coming-of-age ghost story for Disney+. She’s currently in post-production, while her latest film “Off Fairfax” is touring the festival circuit after its world premiere at Tribeca Film Festival.
Aside from narrative directing, Erica’s commercial work has been recognized as AdAge’s “Editor’s Pick” and “Pick of the Week.” She was selected for SHOOT Magazine’s New Directors Showcase and the Commercial Directors Diversity Program – a fellowship partnered with the Directors Guild of America and the Association of Independent Commercial Producers. Since then, Erica has directed content for Facebook, Verizon, Bank of America, and Procter & Gamble.
Inspired by her Oakland roots, Erica creates work that reflects the diverse community in which she grew up. Her combined background in cinematography and dance influences the rhythm and energy behind her emotional storytelling. Watch the amazing short below and support this incredibly talented creative.
Writer & Director: Erica Eng
Producer: Simran Mahal
Casting Director: Claire Koonce
Director of Photography: Drew Daniels
Production Design: J.D. Moran
Editor: Bowei Yue
Sound Design & Mix: Bo Pang
Music Composer: Aiko Fukushima
Post Color: Asa Fox
Featuring Music by Zion I and Beejus
Media copyright of Erica Eng.