Te-Sheng was born in 1969, marking the beginning of his journey in the film industry. He started his career by working in a small production house, gradually progressing to become an assistant in Edward Yang's film studio in 1995. During his tenure with Yang, he was promoted to assistant director on the set of "Mahjong" (1996),showcasing his growth and capabilities.
From 1995 to 1998, Te-Sheng directed a series of short films, including "Face in the Evening" (1995),"Three Dialogues" (1996),and "Before Dawn" (1997). These films received widespread acclaim, earning the Golden Harvest Award for Film and Digital Video. His 1999 16 mm film "About July" garnered impressive reviews from Taiwanese film critics and was honored with a Special Mention from the Alcan Dragons And Tigers Award For Young Cinema at the Vancouver International Film Festival.
Te-Sheng's expertise in manipulating dramatic elements and shaping characters is evident in his films, creating a sense of tension and depth. Despite the financial constraints in Taiwan's film industry, he has consistently strived to showcase the talent and abilities of Taiwanese filmmakers. Although he was unable to secure funding for "Seediq Bale," the teaser film stunned the film community in Taiwan, demonstrating his exceptional filmmaking skills.
His subsequent film, "Cape No. 7," broke box-office records in Taiwan, surpassing even Ang Lee's "Lust: Caution" and "Crouching Tiger and Hidden Dragon." The film also received numerous accolades, including the Grand Prize of the 2008 Taipei Award, the Grand Prize of the 4th Asian Marine Film Festival in Japan, and the Best Narrative Feature of the 28th Hawaii International Film Festival.
