who we are
Jingletown Films is dedicated to amplifying the voices of diverse storytellers and filmmakers whose work has historically been underrepresented in the film industry. Founded by Cheryl, a film and television veteran since 1989, Jingletown Films reflects her longstanding commitment to fostering diversity both in front of and behind the camera.
Inspired by the vibrant spirit of Oakland, Cheryl’s home, Jingletown Films embodies the city’s rich cultural, political, and artistic legacy. It is a creative hub rooted in community and bold storytelling.
creatives
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Cheryl Dunye
FOUNDER
Cheryl is a world renowned Director, Writer, Producer, and Founder of Jingletown Films. Cheryl Dunye first emerged as part of the “Queer New Wave” of young filmmakers in the early 1990s with her first feature film, THE WATERMELON WOMAN, winning the Teddy Award for Best Feature at the 1996 Berlin International Film Festival. Cheryl is currently best known for her directing work on shows including OWN’s QUEEN SUGAR, TNT’s CLAWS, Freeform’s THE FOSTERS, OWN’s LOVE IS, Showtime’s THE CHI, Netflix’s DEAR WHITE PEOPLE, CBS’s ALL RISE, HBO’s LOVECRAFT COUNTRY and Netflix’ BRIDGERTON.
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Karina Hodoyán
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER AND HEAD OF LATINO DIVISION
Karina received a Ph.D. from Stanford University, focusing on Mexican and Latinx Cultural Production. Her writing explores how immigration, race, gender, and sexuality in the US-Mexico Borderlands are represented in the visual and literary arts. She is a graduate of the UCLA School of Theater, Film, and Television's Professional Program in Producing.
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Danielle Schmidt
CREATIVE EXECUTIVE
Danielle is deeply influenced by her passion for travel and has a strong interest in international stories and diverse perspectives. She is a past recipient of the Center for Asian American Media's Student Film Award & was the Production Associate for Netflix's 13 Reasons Why. She's also supported producers on various projects over the years, from Danny Boyle's Steve Jobs to George Clooney's Catch-22. Her directorial debut, Lan Yan, was an international hit at festivals like Napa Valley Film Festival, Seattle International Film Festival, & Cannes' Short Film Corner, & won/was nominated for awards at CAAMFest & Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival respectively. Additionally, she’s spent years coordinating for TV/Film and has judged for Telluride Film Festival's Student Print section as well as KQED’s Truly CA. During her time in public television, she helped producers of Independent Lens launch PBS’ Film School Shorts & got her chops in unscripted media producing segments for PBS Newshour’s Listen to Me & assisting Belva Davis' This Week in Northern California. She received her film degree from San Francisco State University.
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DJ CHAN
DIRECTOR’S ASSISTANT
DJ is a filmmaker and activist working on Ramaytush Ohlone land in the Bay Area. His films focus on the experiences of Asian diasporic and queer communities and he is interested in exploring the relationships between race, sexuality, gender, and family. Recent works include HAUS OF PACIFIC, a film that follows the relationship between a drag queen son and his mother, and PRIDE OF PUGLIA, a documentary that highlights the LGBTQ+ community of Puglia, a region in Southern Italy. His films have screened at the Asian American International Film Festival, Bright Ideas Film Festival, Cinema Diverse: The Palm Springs LGBTQ+ Film Festival, Silicon Valley Queer Film Festival, and Merced Queer Film Festival. DJ believes that filmmaking can be a powerful tool for social change. He hopes to empower other queer/BIPOC creatives to utilize film as a vehicle to center their narratives.
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Sarah Rincon
SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR
Sarah Rincon holds an MFA in Cinema and a BA in Film and Animation. She is a passionate visual storyteller, who in addition, has professional experience in social media and marketing for a variety of companies, combining artistic vision with strategic communication. Her work often explores social themes, aiming to inspire and connect with audiences on a deeper level.