Hi Jinghan! Welcome! Could you tell us a bit about yourself? Give us a brief introduction!

I am an animator, most my previous work are all animation work.

Here’s a list of some of Jinghan Zhang’s more recent work!

“Elixir” – 2019
“Liberation” – 2016
“Eternity” – 2016

Where are you currently based out of?

New Jersey

Let’s take a look at some of your incredible accomplishments over the years. Could you please list some for us?

Vegas Movie Awards – 2019 Best Animation Award Winner
South Film and Arts Academy Festival – 2019 Best Animation Short film Award Winner
Spotlight Short Film Awards – 2019 Best Animated Shorts Award Winner
Rome Independent Prisma Awards – 2019 Best Animation Award Winner
USA Film Festival – 2019 Finalist
Animation Day in Cannes – 2019 Semi-Finalist
Los Angeles CineFest – 2016 Semi-Finalist
Hollywood Screenings Film Festival – 2016 Semi-Finalist
CaribbeanLens International Film Festival – 2019 Official-Selection
Florida Animation Festival – 2019 Official-Selection
Georgia Shorts Film Festival – 2019 Official-Selection
Sydney World Film Festival – 2016 Official-Selection
Anim!Arte – International Student Animation Festival of Brazil – 2017 Official-Selection

What is a quote that summarizes everything you’re about as a filmmaker?

“WE DON’T MAKE MOVIES TO MAKE MORE MONEY. WE MAKE MONEY TO MAKE MORE MOVIES.”
– Walt Disney

What inspired you to start creating films?

My undergraduate college is Beijing Film Academy, although my major was computer animation, but we were asked for take mandatory film classes, from then I interested in film and tried to use the knowledge that I learned from film classes in my animation work.

Who most inspires/influences you currently and why?

Jan Svankmajer. I learned about his films in college. In particular, I like his works Darkness Light Darkness and Death of Stalinism in Bohemia (1990). Both have taught me that animations do not need to be funny, humorous, philosophical or political. They can also be depressing and incite humans to reflect upon themselves and the sins, which flow in their blood. This is not specifically about religious, but is an elemental aspect of what makes for “good people.”

Georges Schiwzgebel, another experimental animator, has also helped shape my sense of storytelling. His 2D animations use language in a special way to present stories.

What is your favorite film genre and why?

I like all genres of movies/animations, but adventure movies are more interesting, because they need more creative imaginations on visual and story, they are the key elements leading audiences to watch with curiosities

As a creator, what do you find to be the thing that most drives you?

I want to create the Emotional resonance with my audiences based on my work.

What is your absolute dream in life?

My animation work will be approbate by most people

What has been the most fun thing you’ve done in your career so far?

Writing script with team is very interesting, in the process of brainstorming we had lots of fun and lots of brilliant ideas from them.

Who is one person that you hope to work with and why?

Tim Burton, I love all of his work, especially Corpse Bride. I like his dark style which is very unique in the film/animation industry.

Is there anyone in particular that you’d like to thank and/or shout-out in this interview?

I appreciate my team for our upcoming animation project “Acheron River”, my team member has helped me a lot and they are very creative.