We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Taige Shi. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Taige below.
Hi Taige, thank you so much for opening up with us about some important, but sometimes personal topics. One that really matters to us is overcoming Imposter Syndrome because we’ve seen how so many people are held back in life because of this and so we’d really appreciate hearing about how you overcame Imposter Syndrome.
The thing that really helps me overcome imposter syndrome is focusing on my work rather than worrying about what others think.
When I first came to the States as an international filmmaker from China, it was definitely overwhelming. I constantly wondered if I could fit in with my peers, which created a lot of unnecessary anxiety. I felt like an outsider, questioning whether I truly belonged in this industry.
Then one day, after a long day on set, it all clicked. I became a director because I love working with actors and bringing both my vision and others’ to life. Whether I fit in or not stopped being important. What mattered was the work itself and the joy it brought me in collaborating with creative people. Once I shifted my focus to that, it made all the difference.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I am a mixture of cultures, an embodiment of constant conflicts, and a fusion of Oriental and Western traditions. As a lone traveler, I have journeyed to different places including Guangzhou, Berlin, Boston, Locarno, and California, endlessly exploring my identity and the world. Born in Guangzhou, a city in southern China, my life has taken a different path from most of my peers. My parents come from two different backgrounds: my father’s family immigrated to Boston in the early 1990s, and my mother hails from a small city near Shanghai. This exposure to different perspectives from a young age has made the arts a perfect fit for me, allowing me to see the world through others’ eyes.
I’ve always been at the crossroads of different traditions and viewpoints. This unique upbringing instilled in me a profound appreciation for the arts as a medium through which to understand and connect with diverse perspectives.
I came to the United States to pursue my dreams as an artist, focusing on creating art that connects people from diverse cultural and sociological backgrounds. As a director, I always envision myself as someone who helps convert visions into reality, whether it’s my own or someone else’s.
My time as an international artist has been marked by a series of significant achievements. Notably, I was chosen as a student critic for the 70th Locarno International Film Festival and have directed several short films. My documentary project “Gaku,” initiated in 2021, aims to shed light on social issues affecting Asian communities in the U.S.
My short film “Reconnect” was selected for multiple international film festivals, including making it to the semifinals of the Rhode Island International Film Festival, which is an Oscar-qualifying festival, as well as being featured in notable film festivals like Newfilmmakers NY and the Silicon Valley Asian Pacific FilmFest. I was also nominated for Best Director at the 5th Asian Film Festival Los Angeles Hollywood in 2023 for this short.
I am currently finalizing my narrative short, “Koi,” which has been recognized as a finalist for the Sloan Production Award. Moreover, I’ve been entrusted by Human Rights Watch to direct a short film on social commentary, further underscoring my commitment to addressing pressing societal issues.
Additionally, I have served as a screener for the 38th and 39th International Documentary Association Awards and the 84th annual George Foster Peabody Awards documentary category in 2024.
As I look to the future, my goal is to continue my journey as an independent filmmaker, leveraging my unique background and insights to tell stories that matter. My work is not just about creating art; it’s about initiating dialogues, bridging divides, and bringing to light the stories that need to be told. For potential clients, followers, and fans, I want you to know that my brand is built on the foundation of empathy, diversity, and the relentless pursuit of understanding. Join me on this journey of exploration and discovery, as we navigate the myriad stories that shape our world.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
In this industry, three qualities that stand out are collaboration, communication, and professionalism.
Filmmaking is a team effort no matter your role. You’ve got to put your ego aside and communicate openly with each other because great work requires a great team. It’s about listening to everyone and understanding that no one can do it alone.
And professionalism is key—show up and do the work. If you’re unprofessional or don’t respect other people’s time, you rarely get a second chance. People remember how you conduct yourself, so it’s crucial to be accountable and treat your role and others with respect.
What is the number one obstacle or challenge you are currently facing and what are you doing to try to resolve or overcome this challenge?
I think the number one challenge for me right now is figuring out how to efficiently use my time. I have multiple projects in development and they all require different aspects of my creative brain. And being in the film industry, you need to spend time socializing and building connections with others. So how I use my time proficiently becomes a key aspect at this current stage of my career.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @0826tiger
- Facebook: Tiger Shi
- Linkedin: Taige Shi
Image Credits
Armando Gray Xinqi Huang
