Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Hsi Cheng. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Hsi thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

One of the most meaningful projects I’ve worked on is *Find Me*, a documentary short about human trafficking that recently won a DOC NYC U award. This project is incredibly personal to me, both as a storyteller and as someone of Taiwanese heritage. The story centers around a woman, Kuo, who was trafficked from Taiwan as a baby and spent decades trying to reconnect with her birth family. It was an ambitious and emotionally charged journey, and for me, it became more than just a film; it became a mission to bring light to an underreported issue that impacted both my home country and my identity.

The project started in 2019 during my junior year at the School of Visual Arts (SVA). I came across Kuo’s story by chance while watching a video on YouTube. I was stunned to learn about the trafficking case from the 1980s, which I had never heard of despite being Taiwanese. Kuo, now a flight paramedic in Rochester, was one of several victims of the trafficking ring, and she was determined to find her birth family in Taiwan. Her journey resonated with me on a deeply personal level, and I knew I had to help tell her story.

After reaching out to Kuo through social media, my small but dedicated crew—Anja Huang, Alex Sarvide, Mina Huang, and I—traveled to Rochester, where we spent time with Kuo and her adoptive family. We saw firsthand the deep emotional toll the search for identity had taken on her, and the immense love and support from her adoptive mother, Mary. This encounter was the beginning of an intense two-year process that involved not only filming in the U.S. but also traveling to Taiwan to help Kuo reconnect with her roots.

The logistical and financial challenges were immense. Our budget was tight, and the idea of sending Kuo to Taiwan felt nearly impossible at times. But we worked tirelessly, creating a promotional video, reaching out to news outlets, and launching a GoFundMe campaign. Our efforts paid off when we were featured on local and Taiwanese news, which allowed us to raise the necessary funds through crowdfunding, government support, and NGO contributions. With this financial backing, we were able to bring Kuo and Mary to Taiwan for a week, where we arranged for DNA testing, conducted interviews with officials, and retraced the steps of Kuo’s early life in Taipei.

The emotional depth of this project left a lasting impact on me. There were moments when the crew and I were moved to tears, especially as Kuo and Mary confronted their shared history and Kuo’s yearning for a place she had never known. But it was during the final night of filming, when we shared drinks by the river with Kuo, our crew, and local friends, that I understood the true power of this journey. Kuo said it was in that moment—surrounded by new friends in a place that felt like home—that she caught a glimpse of what her life could have been like if she had never been taken. That moment of connection and possibility remains one of the most profound experiences of my life.

Back in New York City, I spent countless hours in the editing room sifting through over 4 terabytes of footage. The process was both grueling and enlightening. Originally, I had envisioned the documentary as a true crime exposé, but as I dug deeper into Kuo’s story, it evolved into something much more intimate and complex. It became a story about resilience, love, and the unbreakable desire for identity. After months of editing, I crafted a 19-minute short film that focused on Kuo’s search for family and self, showing how this journey intertwined with larger themes of adoption, trauma, and healing.

Seeing *Find Me* recognized at DOC NYC was a milestone that made all the hard work worth it. The film was selected for DOC NYC U 2024, and we had the opportunity to showcase it at the Big Apple Film Festival and East Village New York Film Festival as well. The recognition was gratifying, but even more meaningful was the chance to raise awareness about international adoption issues and to give voice to those like Kuo who have suffered in silence for far too long.

Ultimately, this project was not just about making a documentary. It was an opportunity to witness someone reclaiming a piece of their past, and it’s a story that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

Hsi, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Hsi Cheng is a director and producer based in New York City, specializing in social documentaries that explore themes of identity, resilience, and the complexities of human emotion. Originally from Taiwan, Hsi’s diverse upbringing in a culturally rich environment sparked her passion for storytelling and continues to influence her work, which often focuses on amplifying underrepresented voices and highlighting important social issues.

Hsi’s documentary short Find Me is a deeply personal project that tells the powerful story of Kuo, a woman trafficked from Taiwan as a baby, as she returns to her home country in search of her birth family. The film has received significant recognition, including a prestigious DOC NYC U award, marking a significant milestone in Hsi’s career. Find Me has been selected for screening at major festivals, including DOC NYC and the Big Apple Film Festival, where it has been praised for its emotional depth, cultural insights, and its nuanced portrayal of human trafficking and the search for identity. The film’s success underscores Hsi’s ability to tackle complex social issues with sensitivity and authenticity.

In addition to her documentary work, Hsi is also an accomplished narrative filmmaker. Her historical horror-romantic drama I Heard a Fly Buzz, which explores the themes of unrequited love and loss between two women in the Victorian era, won first place at the Annual School of Visual Arts (SVA) writing contest and was published in Match Factory Magazine in 2023. It has been selected for multiple film festivals, including the 2024 New York International Short Film Festival and the Odyssey Film Festival, further cementing her versatility as a filmmaker.

Hsi’s other narrative works include The Balloons (2022) and What’s Wrong with Eliza (10 mins)

As a female director in an industry where women are still underrepresented, Hsi is committed to using her platform to tell stories that might otherwise remain unheard. With her unique perspective shaped by her Taiwanese heritage and her multicultural experiences, Hsi continues to create films that explore the emotional depths of human experience, provoke thought, and spark meaningful conversations. Through her diverse body of work, she is determined to challenge stereotypes and bring fresh voices to the forefront of contemporary filmmaking.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

One thing I think non-creatives might struggle to fully understand about the creative journey is just how difficult and uncertain it can be, especially when it comes to documentary filmmaking. Many people see the final product—the polished film, the accolades, the recognition—but what they don’t see is the enormous effort, passion, and personal sacrifice that goes into it, especially in today’s industry.

For me, making a documentary is about more than just storytelling—it’s about the sheer will to continue despite the challenges. Documentary filmmaking, in particular, requires not only artistic commitment but also a willingness to embrace vulnerability. It’s about pushing yourself to take risks and step into the unknown, even when you’re uncertain about the outcome.

But what I’ve learned is that the hardest part isn’t just about the physical grind of making it happen—it’s also about breaking free from your comfort zone. Over time, it becomes easy to settle into routines and find comfort in what feels safe and familiar. That’s the mental trap for many creatives: the temptation to stay where you’re comfortable because it’s easier, because it feels like it’s more stable. But creativity requires pushing past that comfort, stepping into the risk of failure, and being okay with not knowing what’s ahead. It’s about continuing to create art despite that inner voice telling you that it’s easier to play it safe.

There were so many moments during *Find Me* when I had to break my own boundaries—whether it was navigating a sensitive and complex subject matter, dealing with the challenges of working in a different countries, or confronting my own doubts about the project. Every step forward meant letting go of some level of stability. And even though that was uncomfortable, I realized that true creative growth only happens when you’re willing to step out of that zone.

Being a creative is about learning how to be okay with uncertainty, and that often means letting go of the familiar, even when it’s scary. It’s easy to fall into routines and not take the risks that push you forward. But that’s when creativity stagnates. For me, the most important lesson in my journey has been this: in order to grow as an artist, you need to get comfortable with being uncomfortable. You need to trust that taking those risks, even when it feels unstable, is what will ultimately fuel your passion and lead to your best work.

So, my advice to anyone looking to understand this journey is that it’s not just about passion or talent; it’s about resilience and the willingness to break free from your own self-imposed boundaries. Creativity is not about staying comfortable—it’s about challenging yourself, embracing the uncertainty, and finding the courage to keep going even when you’re unsure of what comes next.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

My creative journey is driven by a deep desire to tell stories that resonate with universal human experiences but often go untold. Having grown up in Taiwan and now living in New York City, I feel uniquely positioned to bridge cultural gaps and bring diverse, underrepresented voices to the forefront of cinema. The mission behind my work is rooted in amplifying those voices and exploring the complexities of identity and human resilience, particularly in the context of marginalized communities.

A key goal for me as a filmmaker is to create narratives that invite empathy and spark important conversations around social issues. With Find Me, for instance, my primary mission was to give voice to the survivors of human trafficking and international adoption. Through Kuo’s story, I wanted to shed light on the trauma that often remains hidden behind the headlines of such crimes, while also celebrating the incredible strength of those who refuse to be defined by their pasts. This mission to highlight underreported issues drives much of my documentary work, as I aim to bring attention to subjects that deserve more focus, but often don’t receive it in mainstream media.

At the same time, I’m equally passionate about experimenting with different genres and storytelling formats. I don’t believe in limiting myself to one approach, because each story I tell feels like a new discovery. Whether it’s narrative or documentary, I’m constantly seeking new ways to challenge my creative boundaries and find fresh methods of storytelling. The flexibility in my approach allows me to adapt to the nuances of each story, whether they are grounded in real-life issues or take on more speculative, imaginative forms.

Ultimately, my mission is to use film as a tool for connection—both across cultures and within communities. Whether I’m telling a personal story like Find Me, which bridges my Taiwanese roots with the broader theme of identity and belonging, or creating work that pushes against traditional storytelling forms, my aim is always the same: to create a space where audiences can see themselves reflected, understand each other’s struggles, and engage with the complexities of the world in a deeper way.

As I continue my journey, I hope my work can be a part of a broader shift in the film industry—one that embraces diverse perspectives, highlights voices often overlooked, and challenges the conventional norms of storytelling. The power of film is its ability to make the invisible visible, and that is the mission that guides me every day.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.hsicheng.net/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hsi._.cheng/?hl=en
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hsi-cheng-808b811a9/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@hsicheng7242

Image Credits
personal photo is by 黃世澤