yellow balloon film



Yellow Balloon is a short film directed by Summer Luu and co-written with Olyvia Chac-Nguyen. The story follows Ái Vân, a 6-year-old Vietnamese-American child adopted by their immigrant grandparents, as they navigate the complexities of identity, belonging, and letting go.
As the Finishing Editor, I worked closely with the director to shape the emotional rhythm of the film — refining pacing, smoothing continuity, and helping lock the final cut. Getting to work on Yellow Balloon still doesn’t feel real. When Summer first reached out, I genuinely thought it was a scam — which only speaks to how rare and special this kind of project and crew is. Never in a million years did I think I’d get to work with a Vietnamese-American team on something this meaningful.<3
Yellow Balloon is currently screening at multiple film festivals, including Diversity in Cannes Short Film, the Houston AAPI Film Festival, with more to come.
As the Finishing Editor, I worked closely with the director to shape the emotional rhythm of the film — refining pacing, smoothing continuity, and helping lock the final cut. Getting to work on Yellow Balloon still doesn’t feel real. When Summer first reached out, I genuinely thought it was a scam — which only speaks to how rare and special this kind of project and crew is. Never in a million years did I think I’d get to work with a Vietnamese-American team on something this meaningful.<3
Yellow Balloon is currently screening at multiple film festivals, including Diversity in Cannes Short Film, the Houston AAPI Film Festival, with more to come.
Director/Exec.Producer/Co-Writer: Summer Luu
Co-Writer/Script Supervisor: Olyvia Chac-Nguyen
Co-Writer/Script Supervisor: Olyvia Chac-Nguyen
PRODUCERS UNIT & PRODUCTION STAFF
Producer: Stephanie DuongProduction Coordinators: Caroline Weaver, Melina Coumas
ART DEPARTMENT / SET DESIGN & DRESSING
Creative Director: Jordan Hoagbin
Art Director: Angela Nguyen
Designer: Phuong Sen
Production Designer: Sara Luu
Wardrobe/Prop Stylist: Uyen Nguyen
Set/Prop Assist: Skylar Nguyen
Producer: Stephanie DuongProduction Coordinators: Caroline Weaver, Melina Coumas
ART DEPARTMENT / SET DESIGN & DRESSING
Creative Director: Jordan Hoagbin
Art Director: Angela Nguyen
Designer: Phuong Sen
Production Designer: Sara Luu
Wardrobe/Prop Stylist: Uyen Nguyen
Set/Prop Assist: Skylar Nguyen
MAKEUP & HAIR
Key Make-Up Artist: Mattie Ngo
CAMERA DEPARTMENT
Director of Photography: Daniel Nim
1st Assistant Camera: Kayla Caldeira
2nd Assistant Camera/BTS Photo: Bang Nguyen
Super16mm Film Camera Operator: Duncan O'Bryan
BTS Photographers: Christine Dong, Angie Keam, Bang Nguyen, Ryan Mooney, Summer Luu
BTS Photographer/Production Assistant: Jordan Nguyen
Key Make-Up Artist: Mattie Ngo
CAMERA DEPARTMENT
Director of Photography: Daniel Nim
1st Assistant Camera: Kayla Caldeira
2nd Assistant Camera/BTS Photo: Bang Nguyen
Super16mm Film Camera Operator: Duncan O'Bryan
BTS Photographers: Christine Dong, Angie Keam, Bang Nguyen, Ryan Mooney, Summer Luu
BTS Photographer/Production Assistant: Jordan Nguyen
GRIP & ELECTRIC DEPARTMENT
Key Gaffer: Kevin Bui
Best Boy Gaffer: Jason Lee
Key Grip: Abigail Anastacio
Key Gaffer: Kevin Bui
Best Boy Gaffer: Jason Lee
Key Grip: Abigail Anastacio
PRODUCTION SOUND
Sound Mixer: Kai Pacifico, Kai Tillman, Jebari Dean
Sound Mixer: Kai Pacifico, Kai Tillman, Jebari Dean
POST PRODUCTION
Sound Supervisor & Music Composer: Joshua Le
Editor: Summer Luu
Finishing Editor: Margie Nguyen
Colorist: Gabi Bucataru
Sound Supervisor & Music Composer: Joshua Le
Editor: Summer Luu
Finishing Editor: Margie Nguyen
Colorist: Gabi Bucataru
Website: Yellow Balloon
Instagram: Yellow Balloon
reggieknow: fashion figure inc
Agency: Substance Media Agency
Editor: Margie Nguyen
Reggieknow, a Chicago-native artist and founder of Fashion Figure Inc. has left a profound mark on the worlds of fashion, music, and art. In this video, we briefly go through Reggieknow’s journey as a cultural pioneer and innovator and how his passion for art and design continues to shape the culture landscape today.
the lab: hiv awarness campaign
Agency: The Lab Saigon
Filmed & Directed: Le Minh Dao, Dao Nhat Tan, Nama Duong
Editor: Margie Nguyen
Mini documentary of the collective work that went into The Lab Saigon’s HIV Awareness Campaign since 2018.
eop: celebrating 50 years
Filmed & Directed: Leslie De Leon Tzic and Gio Valle
Editor: Margie Nguyen
The Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) celebrates its 50th year, marking a significant milestone for this historic program. In this video, we take a journey back in time with the trailblazers who helped create EOP and hear firsthand accounts of the challenges they faced during the early days of the program. From the protests and sit-ins to the eventual establishment of EOP as a statewide program, the pioneers of EOP share their memories and experiences of this important chapter in California's educational history.