Tom Xiao

Limits are Perceived.

Award-winning Film Director, Writer, Producer, and Editor with Skyline Pictures. FAA Certified PPL Airplane & sUAS Drone Pilot. Globetrotter/Backpacker been to every US state, set to visit every continent and every UN recognized country. Published Author in China, Former American Red Cross Certified Lifeguard and Varsity Cross Country Captain, Pencil Sketch/Guitar/Ukulele Artist & Multi-Instrumentalist.

---

Filmography & Background

Based in Boston, born in Beijing, and grew up in Providence, Rhode Island. Tom has lived in London England, Athens Georgia, and Orlando Florida, while trained in film, theater, and music from both the British and the American ways at Tufts University (BA), Queen Mary University of London, and Full Sail University (MFA). As an aspiring filmmaker, Tom has been making movies since he was 11 years old. He is best known for short films such as Man with a Movie Camera at Tufts with Tequila (2023), Tom Xiao’s How Things Work (2024), Rotten Tomatoes (2025), Future Days (2026).

His film Future Days (2026) is a 7x award-winner, 6x official selection, 2x semi-finalist, including best director, best actor, best actress, and best drama; recognized from across 7 countries in North America, Europe, and Australia.

Personal Achievements

Beyond filmmaking, Tom is known for an adventurous lifestyle and an extensive list of personal qualifications. Tom’s biggest hobby is travel as he sets out to complete his life-long dream to visit every US state, every continent, and every country in the world. He has currently been to 50/50 US states, 6/7 continents, and 42/195 UN recognized countries.

Tom also holds a FAA Private Pilot License (PPL) and a remote drone (sUAS) pilot rating. He published his first narrative fiction novel in 2023; while in high school, he was the senior editor of the yearbook and the captain of the Varsity Cross Country team, as well as a 4x Mariner Award recipient. Outside campus, Tom’s also a former American Red Cross Certified Lifeguard. Beyond athletics, Tom enjoys pencil sketching and plays table tennis, tennis, and basketball. His passion for adventure includes sailing, skiing, and skydiving. He is proficient in English and Mandarin and is currently learning Spanish and American Sign Language (ASL). He also enjoys studying chess. In his free time, Tom loves driving, cooking, and playing the guitar and ukulele, especially while backpacking and exploring the world.

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm15624441/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk