“Xmas Without China” is a feature documentary set around the Christmas holiday in Arcadia, California, a neighborhood that used to be predominantly white, but is now half Asian. Tom Xia, a Chinese-American immigrant challenges his neighbors, the Jones Family, to spend the entire month leading up to Christmas with no Chinese products in their home and without purchasing any Chinese products for the holidays. Fed up with food and toy recalls, the Joneses take up the challenge. But the tables turn when Tim Jones provokes Tom about who he is and why he’s so proud of China. As the Joneses struggle to figure out how to have a simpler Christmas in a time when “we don’t make anything anymore,” they also begin to think about just how related they are to China. Fed up with the mudslinging between the two countries, Tom finds himself on an unlikely journey to break down stereotypes between China and America, and find his own place between these worlds.

The filmmakers are trying to raise $15,000 to finish the film. They need a few more shoots to follow Tom’s journey, including a trip back to China, and to move into the final stages of post-production. Watch the trailer and if you want to help fund the film, you can do it here. Perks based on your donation level include credits on the website and film, the documentary on DVD, a private screening with you and your friends with the filmmakers, and much more.

Xmas without China

Filmmakers Tom Xia and Alicia Dwyer talk Xmas Without China