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Filmmaker Interview by Chris Olson
Hi Hsi, thanks for speaking with us. For those who don’t know you, please can you tell us a bit about you as a filmmaker?
I am a writer, director, producer specializing in social documentaries, currently based in New York City. Growing up in Taiwan, I was deeply influenced by the diverse cultures that surrounded me, igniting my passion for storytelling. My work often delves into themes of identity, community, and resilience, reflecting my commitment to amplifying underrepresented voices.
My documentary “Find Me” tells the poignant story of a human trafficking victim returning to my home country to find my birth family and reconnect with my identity. The film has received recognition at various film festivals, including DOC NYC and the Big Apple Film Festival, earning accolades for its emotional depth and cultural insights.
In addition to documentaries, I also like to explore human emotion through narrative storytelling. My horror romantic drama, “I Heard a Fly Buzz,” examines the unrequited love between two women in the Victorian era. The original script won first place at the Annual School of Visual Arts writing program contest and was published in Match Factory Magazine in 2023. It has also been selected for the New York International Short Film Festival and the Odyssey Film Festival in 2024.
My short film “The Balloons” (10mins) in 2022, a drama about grief and friendship, was selected to screen at the SVA’s 2022 student film festival. “What’s Wrong With Eliza” (10mins) is a drama short about a sugar baby’s encounter with a client who was not who she thought he was. It is currently under post production.
My Sci-fi TV pilot, A Ship Leans on The Beach (20 pages) was awarded in VII Youth Film Festival Golden Frame, and LA Under the Stars Film Festival. “Bad Faith” (4 mins), my experimental short, was selected in Progeny Short Film Festival and Lift-Off Filmmaker Sessions. Using my voice as a female director, I am dedicated to telling unique stories that would otherwise remain unheard—whether through fictional historical dramas or the real-life journeys of those navigating complex social issues.
Despite coming from a culture where women in directing is a recent phenomenon, I like to embrace my background, infusing it into my body of work. My perspective has been shaped by my multicultural experiences, and I aim to create compelling narratives that resonate deeply with audiences.
“Find Me” sounds like a fascinating documentary. Why did you want to make this film?
Growing up in Taiwan, I’ve always struggled with the idea of identity and belonging.
Not being able to speak fluent Taiwanese, trapped in between the cultural and historical conflict, unable to be proud of my own heritage. I didn’t feel that belong in the place that I was born in, even though I called it “home.” However, since I started traveling , living in different parts of the world , the further I am to my “home ,” the more I appreciate the influence it had on my life.
Home never meant a room with four walls, it’s a place where you can come back to, a place where you don’t feel alone. Not everyone is born into their identity and where they belong, sometimes you just have to leave in order to find it.
That sounds like a really personal film to make. What were the other challenges in making “Find Me”?
One of my biggest challenges was the budget, particularly concerning transportation for the crew and our documentary subject. I was unsure how we would be able to send Kuo to Taiwan. I created a promotional video and reached out to news outlets while setting up a GoFundMe for her trip.
Our efforts led to features on Spectrum News and Taiwanese news channel The Reporter. This helped us raise funds through crowdfunding, the Taiwanese government, and various NGOs. The financial support allowed us to fly Kuo to Taiwan and provide accommodations for her and her adoptive mother, Mary, for a week.
It was an ambitious and challenging first documentary to make, but I was driven by my belief in the story. With meticulous planning, my amazing crew and I brought this vision to life.
What stage is the film at currently? Can people see it?
Find Me is now in Festival circuit, previously premiered at DOC NYC.
Congratulations! Hopefully our readers will get to see it soon. A bit more of a personal question in what has already been a personal interview, but, why do you make movies?
I’ve always been drawn to the magic of storytelling.
Growing up in Taiwan, my family and I would visit the local Blockbuster every week. We’d rent two or three movies, and those trips became a cherished ritual.
It wasn’t just about the films themselves, but about the worlds they opened up for me—the way they sparked my imagination, transported me to different places, and allowed me to experience emotions I’d never felt before. It was during these movie nights that my love for cinema took root.
It became clear to me that #filmmaking wasn’t just something I enjoyed; it was something I had to pursue. That passion led me to the U.S. to follow my dream. It’s been a journey of trial and error, with moments of doubt, but every step has deepened my love for what I do.
I’ve found something that challenges me, inspires me, and allows me to express my own unique voice. Cinema is where I feel most alive—it’s more than a career; it’s who I am.
What advice would you give to someone just starting out in the film career you have pursued?
I’ve always been a practical person, but what I learned from making Find Me is that you shouldn’t be afraid to dream big.
Filmmaking often requires balancing ambition with the realities of the process, but if you truly believe in the story you want to tell, go for it. Your greatest resources will be your ability to manage time, your work ethic, and the people around you. The connections you build with talented, like-minded individuals are invaluable, and there are fewer opportunities to be surrounded by that energy once you’ve completed a project.
My advice is simple: take that leap of faith in yourself.
While the process will require hard work and perseverance, the support you receive from your team will make all the difference. I’m incredibly grateful for the people who supported me throughout Find Me. Without them, I wouldn’t have been able to bring my vision to life. Filmmaking is about collaboration—your story may be your own, but the process of telling it is always shared.
Who would you love to work with and why?
I met so many incredibly talented people at DOC NYC last November, and I’d love the opportunity to work with any of them. The experience was both inspiring and humbling, and it reminded me how much I still have to learn from others.
Whether it’s collaborating with fellow filmmakers, editors, or producers, I value the opportunity to work alongside people who push boundaries and bring fresh perspectives to the table. The passion and creativity I encountered there made me even more excited to keep growing in my craft, and I’m eager to continue learning from those who are as dedicated to storytelling as I am.
What’s next for you in your filmmaking career?
I’m excited about the possibility of expanding Find Me into a longer project. Looking ahead, I want to continue creating documentaries that have a meaningful impact—whether by telling stories that inspire others or by sparking important conversations around social issues.
In a world that’s constantly evolving, I’m passionate about telling stories that reflect who we are as a community. I want to highlight both the extraordinary and the everyday people, showcasing the beauty and complexity of our lives.
Ultimately, my goal is to create work that resonates deeply with audiences and helps us better understand the world we share.
#ChrisOlson
