Feminist. Creative. Multi-Disciplinary.

I am a film director and writer in narrative, commercial, music videos, and branded content, with 16 years in the industry. I have previously worked as a producer, casting director, and editor. I grew up as a multi-disclipinary artist who loved dance, music, photography, theater, writing, and filmmaking was the natural marriage of all my mediums.

HOW DOES BEING TAIWANESE/TAIWANESE AMERICAN AND/OR COMMUNITY ALLY PLAY A ROLE IN YOUR LIFE?

I grew up in a traditional Taiwanese American household in California, but as an adult, I worked in the indie filmmaking world in NYC for 10 years. In the midst of my career, my dad passed away. I found myself searching for ways to connect with him and be closer to family, so I decided to move back to LA. I ended up writing a short film called Hello From Taiwan that I made through the AFI Directing Workshop for Women program. The Taiwanese community surprisingly embraced me, and that was when I truly learned to celebrate my Taiwanese American identity. The way I wanted to tell stories became laser sharp. I realized that art and identity are not separate; and more beautiful when symbiotic.

The VALUE of our stories is so important and we need agency to give back to our community and culture – this is what I’m striving for as I gain more momentum in my own career, and how I want to give back. In order for diverse filmmakers to be able to tell authentic stories in a long term, sustainable method, investing in our community allows us to continuously grow and thrive. I believe that contributing to my community and culture comes from being able to do the work from a financial standpoint. The dollar invested in any of us who tell our stories often gets recycled and impacts our community in a long term, positive way.

IF YOU COULD TEACH FUTURE GENERATIONS 1 THING ABOUT BEING TAIWANESE/TAIWANESE AMERICAN OR TAIWAN, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

I believe being AAPI or Taiwanese or Taiwanese American is not monolithic, we each individually have a connection to what it means, but all of our experiences are different.

I would say, embrace the specificity of your unique perspectives and stories. The values that we learn in life, whether from Taiwan or from America, or from our experiences as a diaspora, make us interesting, and we should never hide any side of ourselves. You can be whoever you want to be and that’s the beauty of being a person of color, and more specifically, a Taiwanese / Taiwanese American.

WHAT DOES THE FUTURE OF TAIWANESE AMERICA LOOK LIKE TO YOU?

I think the future of Taiwanese America is going to be really creative, beautiful, and unique. I believe as more and more of our voices are recognized and implemented, we’re going to show that we’re a really powerful and present force to be reckoned with.

FAVORITE MEMORY OF TAIWAN/TAIWANESE AMERICA?

So many! Visiting Jiufen with my dad and his childhood best friend. I got to see him young and happy, very carefree, and the mountainside / sea views that day were especially gorgeous. Or going to the hot springs with my family.

FAVORITE TAIWANESE FOOD?

I’m a fan of the grilled squid that they cook at those street vendors. I also love Taiwanese tea.