JEN TSAI - PRODUCER/DIRECTOR

Jen Tsai is a Taiwanese born independent filmmaker living in Texas, who loves using film to tell stories. Her films have a poetic quality and reveal many layers of life. Graduated from The University of Texas at Austin in 1996, Jen has produced and directed various projects such as cultural talk shows, short films, music videos and animations. "Cultural Chatterbox," a show about the Asian communities in Austin, has been aired locally in Austin. Jen has also directed and produced several episodic shows for the American Asian Alliance based in Austin. Besides creating her own projects, Jen has worked on numerous film and video projects. A superior organizer and leader, Jen earned the nickname, "Little General" while working as Production Manager on feature films. In 2001 Jen wrote and directed the short film “When”, which has been well received at film festivals around the world. Her most recent project is Not Lost, a feature length documentary based on the Sudanese refugees commonly known as the “lost boys”. She is also line-producing a feature film in development. Jen's own experience as a foreigner in America helps her relate to some of the issues the "lost boys" face. Although Jen has been facing a deportation case since 1996, instead of dwelling on her own plight, she has chosen a positive path and continued creating films that celebrate humanity.

Play video clip - Jen Tsai's story

DAVID AUSTIN – PRODUCER/EDITOR

David Austin is a film/video producer and editor. Being in the film/video industry for more than 15 years, his experience ranges from the smallest video projects to feature films to a CBS television series and Olympic Qualifier sports web cast. David was a producer/editor at Zee TV USA Inc., a satellite television network from India and one of the largest in the world. David graduated from the University of North Texas in 1993 with a degree in Radio Television Film, and a minor in Anthropology. His experience working among different cultures and his extensive knowledge in world culture and history makes him a valuable asset to this project.

A note from the filmmakers...

The filmmakers hope that Not Lost not only presents a compelling human nature story that inspires the audience, but that it also opens the general public's eyes and minds. The majority of Americans are not aware of refugees living among them and there are often misconceptions of who is benefiting from the refugee resettlement program. Many people have the misguided idea that refugees are here for "freebies," and many more do not realize that wars and famines around the world are still creating refugees daily.

If this documentary could bring awareness to the American public that tragedies around the world are constantly taking place and there is a need for humanitarian assistance, abroad and locally; that would be a success. The producers believe that everyone has something to contribute to human kind. By extending a hand to help someone not as fortunate or simply by being a friend to someone new in the neighborhood, small acts of kindness can add up quickly and powerfully. There are many people who have not heard of the "lost boys"' story. Learning about the journey these refugees have gone through, the audience will be reminded of the strength of the human spirit and what their own life's priorities are. Perhaps the audience can draw from these "lost boys'" the courage to face their own daily dilemmas.

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