KINAJ is an artist-run dance collective created and led by Kin Nguien and AJ Velasco. Founded in 2020, KINAJ's mission is to bridge gaps between various art disciplines such as dance, film, photography and music through the art of collaboration and knowledge exchange.
KINAJ originally started as a collaborative dance performance duo, incorporating street style dances such as hip-hop, house, popping, and classical techniques from modern, contemporary, and improvisation. However, due to the pandemic and inability to perform live, KINAJ has pivoted to become a creative duo currently focusing on dance film production. Since 2020, KINAJ has produced 14 dance film projects in collaboration with Toronto-based film directors, movement artists, singers and photographers. Their recent achievements include official selections at film festivals such as Russian Mental Health Film Festival Open Vision Film Festival in Russia. KINAJ is a recipient of the Storyline/Narrative Award for their dance short film Project Lullaby: Choice at the HomeScreen Movement Film Festival 2022 in San Francisco.