Roxy Shih is back on our blog as the Festival Director of the Taiwanese American Film Festival. See

Roxy Shih is back on our blog as the Festival Director of the Taiwanese American Film Festival. See her interview below - In the Field with Roxy Shih (Festival Director, Taiwanese American Film Festival) Interviewed by Lara Santos, Field ReporterLS: When’d you start your work doing the work that you do? RS: I started making films and digital content in 2011 when I received the AWC grant from Visual Communications to make my film PLAY TIME. I had a brief career in post-production as an editor before I transitioned to producing full time. During that time I would still exercise my creative muscle by writing and directing a short film every year. Eventually, with the help and encouragement of my friends and family, I directed my first feature, THE TRIBE. Since then I’ve been steadily directing and producing - directing stories I’m empowered to tell, and supporting talented, emerging voices I see potential in.   LS: What were the influences in making your work come to life? Are there businesses, people, orgs, celebrities you admire or want to work alongside? RS: In terms of making the work come into fruition I would say I learn a lot from people who lead by example. My mentors, directors I have worked for - they have all taught me the process by showing me what works and doesn’t work when it comes to making a project come to life. As a writer and creator I’m endlessly imaginative, but in terms of making the work itself come to life it’s all from doing the work itself. Constantly failing, constantly learning, constantly growing. As for who I dream of working alongside, I would have to say Tom Hardy (because duh), Meryl Streep (more duh) and Tony Leung (super duh!). I would also love to watch Ang Lee work or if time travel were possible, go back in time to watch Hitchcock direct PSYCHO or Kubrick direct THE SHINING.LS: Where do you see your relationship to AAPI communities in the years to come? RS: I want my relationship with the AAPI community to continue to flourish since it’s where I got my start! It will always feel like home to me. So I hope that as I continue to grow in my craft and network that I continue to give back. I still remember that feeling when I had dreams to make films but felt that all the odds were against me. The AAPI film community was essential in helping me carve my path and provide opportunities for me to explore my voice. I hope to do the same with TAFF and hope to empower more storytellers and young filmmakers of the future. We can only move forward if we continue to support each other!LS: What do you hope the impact of your work to be?RS: It’s an exciting time in Hollywood right now with so much discussion on the topic of diversity and inclusion. I’ve come to realize that impact doesn’t have to be so “big picture,” but impact can happen when you make the smallest of decisions as well. Personally, I look to hire diversity both in front and behind the camera, as well as fight for gender balanced sets. Even though it’s small, the more it happens the more we normalize the idea of a female director, gaffer, or POC as the lead in an American story. Practice mindfulness and be conscious of your decisions, and then in the future our sons and daughters will have better opportunities to pursue their dreams. As for impact of content, I hope to tell stories that allow the world to realize how connected we are. That despite coming from different backgrounds and experiences, that our stories are quite universal. We are responsible for the stories we tell and I hope that with the work I leave on this earth I can open up more minds to discussion, open more hearts to one another without judgement.LS: Anything you want to add? RS: Come to our film festival! :) And don’t be afraid to follow your dreams.The Taiwanese American Film Festival is this Saturday, July 8th at the Downtown Independent. Buy your tickets today: http://bit.ly/2tiYiy3Share what you do. http://bit.ly/ADEsubmit. -- source link

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