Spring 2024

Karin Chien is an award-winning producer and distributor whose work focuses on financing innovations, equitable production structures, and radically different distribution solutions.   

Karin is the founder & CEO of Art & Action—a global boutique production company. Karin is the co-founder and president of dGenerate Films—a distributor of independent Chinese cinema. Karin is the founder and director of the Nevada City Film Festival Residency—a creative retreat for independent producers. Karin is a co-founder of Distribution Advocates—a collective advocating for equity and transparency in film distribution.

Her awards and recognition include: Special Recognition for Distribution from the New York Film Critics Circle; Independent Spirit Producer’s Award; Cinereach Producing Award; Humanitas Prize; and Sundance Film Festival Audience Award. 

During her fellowship, Karin’s research focused on how the most impactful documentary projects get funded and presented recommendations for new economic models that center sustainability and creative risk. In particular, the research explored a shift from project-based documentary funding to producer-led models, where new forms can emerge. 

Based on her research, Karin published a video with the main takeaways from her investigation. You can watch HERE and read HERE.