In the quiet streets of Siena, Italy, a young man confronts the weight of his past and the silence he’s built around himself, forcing him to face a truth he’s long avoided.
Dir. Kenneth Nguyen (Studio Art '26)
Kenneth Nguyen is a Chinese-Vietnamese American filmmaker based in Herndon, Virginia and a Virginia Museum of Fine Arts (VMFA) Fellow. A 2026 graduate of the University of Virginia, he double majored in Film and Computer Science, a pairing that shapes his work across film and digital media. His narrative drama shorts have screened at festivals including the Tokyo International Short Film Festival, Alexandria Film Festival, and Richmond Film Network. He has also collaborated with the Black & Indigenous Feminist Features Institute, V Magazine, UVA’s Karsh Institute, and The Moth: MainStage at the Paramount Theater. Kenneth continues to write and direct and is actively working on new projects.
This short film is part of the New Tide: Virginia Student Filmmakers shorts package.
New Tide: Virginia Student Filmmakers brings together a dynamic selection of short films that reflect the perspectives, experiences, and creative voices of the Commonwealth’s generation of filmmakers.
Last Day (11 min) – When a young woman persuades a suicidal stranger to spend one last day with her, an unexpected journey unfolds.
What It Takes (9 min) – A local farmer navigates the daily rhythms of farm life while working to connect his harvest with the community around him.
To Whom I Let Go (12 min) – In the quiet streets of Siena, Italy, a young man confronts the weight of his past and the silence he’s built around himself, forcing him to face a truth he’s long avoided.
Undercurrent (10 min) – A portrait of Belle Isle, exploring the people and everyday moments that shape this small island in the heart of Richmond.
Until We Meet Again (8 min) – A speculative documentary on loss blending performance, stop-motion animation, and family photographs.
Discussion with director Kenneth Nguyen (To Whom I Let Go)