Filmmaker Interview for “MOSS”
Moss
Director: Yi Cheng Lin (Taiwan)
After Jie’s death, Jess receives a mysterious call from him, only to realize he has returned not to be saved, but to help her burn the bridges that have kept her anchored to him.
Narrative – Student
NARRATIVE SHORT FILMS / SESSION 02 (3:30pm – 5:00pm)
What drew you to create this film? Creating Moss was driven by both necessity and a deep emotional need. On a practical level, it served as my thesis project for my master’s degree—a pressure I am truly grateful for, as it pushed me to bring this story to life. Emotionally, the film stemmed from a painful period of heartbreak and losing my dog. I found myself flooded with complex emotions and words I desperately wanted to say to those who were no longer there. Moss became my space to process farewells and moving on, acting as a personal outlet to transform that quiet grief into a visual language.
What does filmmaking mean to you? Cinema is a distinct language—much like music, dance, or painting—used to express our inner worlds. To me, film happens to be the most direct and deeply felt language of all. Naturally, filmmaking is the process of meticulously crafting and structuring that language. It requires immense effort and dedication, but I deeply love every step of the journey—pouring so much into it just to communicate an idea and allow the audience to truly feel it.
What advice would you give students or beginners that want to make films? First and foremost, know what you want to say. Having a clear vision will act as your anchor whenever you encounter challenges along the way. While storytelling techniques take time and practice to master, don’t get overly hung up on immediate results—remind yourself that every step is part of the learning process, and simply doing your best at any given stage is already a great achievement. Lastly, cherish your crew and collaborate genuinely. Film is a team effort, and the people working alongside you today are your creative partners for the future.
What films do you watch again and again? I find myself constantly returning to Jane Campion’s The Piano.
MOSS will screen during the second short narrative screening on Saturday the 19th that starts at 3:15!
