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About

Ruolin is a Los Angeles-based documentary filmmaker and editor. Working primarily as a director and editor, she uses documentary as a way to explore the world, the communities around her, and her own place within them. Her work spans diverse subjects and stories, grounded in a deep interest in human experience, character, and emotion.

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Ruolin received her MFA in Film/Video from CalArts, where she directed narrative shorts inspired by everyday life and infused with dreamy and humorous elements. Her thesis film, String of Butterflies, a darkly humorous fantasy, is currently streaming on multiple platforms.

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She began her professional career in documentary as an assistant editor, working on award-winning films including Walk Run Cha-Cha (Oscar-nominated), Hidden Letters (Oscar-shortlisted), and Our Time Machine. The experience shaped her approach to editing and deepened her interest in character-driven storytelling and the complexities of real lives.

Ruolin Xu Luyo_Portrait.jpg

AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS

2026 - Seattle Latino Film Festival

2026 - Flicker's Rhode Island International Film Festival

2023 - Karen Schmeer Editing Fellow

2018 - San Diego International Kids’ Film Festival - San Diego

2018 - Kids! First Film Festival - Santa Fe

2018 - AltFF Alternative Film Festival - Toronto

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SELECTED CREDITS​

Where Home Waits - Co-director, editor

Ginger Root Brings Back City Pop - Director, editor

From Dreams to Dust - Co-editor

Strings of Butterflies - Director, editor

Walk, Run, Cha-cha - Assistant editor

Hidden Letters - Assistant editor

Our Time Machine - Assistant editor

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