Sammy Wiener
Sammy Wiener is a local documentary filmmaker, photographer, and activist. They are currently a senior at Drexel University, majoring in Film/TV production. Most of their work is in directing/editing short and long-form documentaries and music videos. As one of the leading members of Students for the Preservation of Chinatown, they are using their filmmaking skills to help document and help spread the word about the community's opposition to the construction of the 76-ers arena in Center City.
Awarded Grants
2023
Media Artist + Activist Residency (MAR)
Related grantees
Overview
Kaia Chau and Sammy Weiner will collaborate with Asian Americans United to create media that reflects Chinatown’s resilience against predatory development such as the 76ers arena proposal. Through oral history, found object sculptures, public video projections, and apps, Kaia and Sammy will engage the community to create a culminating multi-media installation in a vacant storefront in Chinatown that will serve as a community gathering space, particularly for youth like themselves. With media arts, they plan to construct a damning narrative that this arena is an attempt at cultural genocide and community displacement and will fight for Chinatown’s right to self-determination and the freedom to decide what is best for their community.