Features

QIAN Ning’s ACC Fellowship Experience in Thailand

2025-09-03

Filmmaker from Zhejiang, Mainland China, QIAN Ning (ACC 2024) undertook a three-month Altius Fellowship, focused on exploring temple culture and spirit mediumship in Thailand. He researched the influence of deity-related beliefs on contemporary life, and compared “jigong” and “shamans,” the intermediaries between deities and humans in Mainland China, and Thailand.

“Spiritual traditions across the world may be rooted in different contexts but still reflect similar human longings and emotional truths,” says Qian. To explore commonalities between deity-related cultures across regions, Qian visited several temples, including Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan in Thammarat, as well as Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon, Wat Ratchaburana, Wat Phukhao Thong, and Wat Chaiwatthanaram in Ayutthaya. He also participated in meditation retreats in Chiang Mai and Bangkok, which he says brought him “a sense of inner clarity and emotional cleansing.”

Wat Phra That Doi Suthep in Chiang Mai

He also screened his short film, Buddha the Betrayer in Ayutthaya, and expected universal themes like disorientation after loss of belief to resonate. Instead, audiences connected with more subtle moments—like the protagonist’s hesitation before an altar and whether or not to kneel and pray.

It underscored for how meaning can be very personal and shaped by cultural perspective. It is what the audience is ready to hear and receive.

Qian embraced the opportunity to build meaningful connections with local Thai communities, particularly concealed religious groups. Over time, he felt that creating genuine connections requires intentional effort, real time spent living, listening, and being present in their culture.

Extending beyond cultural integration, the insight sparked reflection about his artistic process.

“I started to understand why some of my past creative work...may have remained on the surface: I hadn’t given it enough time. Time, I now believe, is the key that can crack open a stone and reveal the diamond inside,” he says.

A Monk and his disciple in a temple

We look forward to seeing how Qian’s ACC Fellowship experience will translate into his film endeavours in the future. Our deepest gratitude to the Altius Fellowship, for making Qian’s ACC experience possible.


Wat Ket Karam in Chiang Mai	Meditation retreat in a temple

All photos courtesy of Qian Ning.