Yen Tan Explained
Yen Tan (born March 12, 1975) is a Malaysian-born American[1] independent film producer and director.
Early life
Tan emigrated from Malaysia at the age of 19 and is based in Dallas, Texas.[2]
Career
He is known for award-winning films Happy Birthday (2002) and Deadroom (2005). He also directed the gay-themed Ciao (2008) that he had co-written with the film's lead actor Alessandro Calza.
His screenwriting lab semi-finalist screenplay Pit Stop was selected by the Outfest Screenwriting Lab. The film also screened at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival. He was also a finalist for the prestigious Vilcek Prize for Creative Promise.
Personal life
Tan is openly gay.[3] [4]
Filmography
Director
- Feature films
- Shorts
- 2001: Love Stories
- 2008: Coda
- 2011: Wanted
- 2016: 1985
Producer
- 2005: Deadroom
- 2008: Coda (short)
- 2008: My Mom Smokes Weed (short)
Actor
- 2011: 3 Thumbs Up as himself (documentary)
Awards
- For Happy Birthday
- 2002: Won the Jury Prize for "Best Feature - Gay Male" at the Philadelphia International Gay & Lesbian Film Festival
- 2002: Won New Directors Showcase - Bets Feature award at the Portland LGBT Film Festival
- Also earned an honorable mention at Image+Nation in Montreal
- For Deadroom
- 2005: Won Director's Award at the Texas Film Festival (sharing with James M. Johnston, David Lowery and Nick Prendergast)
Notes and References
- Web site: Yen Tan Has Been Making Movies For Over 15 Years, But Says 'Being a Queer Asian' Has Hurt His Career. Eric. Kohn. October 25, 2018. IndieWire.
- So Long, Farewell. The Advocate. Kyle. Buchanan. December 10, 2008.
- http://www.dallasvoice.com/tag/adam-neal-smith Dallas Voice: 'Ciao' now available on DVD
- http://queerious.com/tag/yen-tan/ Queerious: Yen Tan's Pit Stop
