Yen Tan

Yen Tan
Yen Tan in 2013
Born (1975-03-12) March 12, 1975 (age 49)
Occupation(s)Film director, screenwriter, producer
Years active2002–present

Yen Tan (born March 12, 1975) is a Malaysian-born American[1] independent film producer and director.

Early life

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Tan emigrated from Malaysia at the age of 19 and is based in Dallas, Texas.[2]

Career

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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

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Tan is openly gay.[3][4]

Filmography

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Director

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Feature films
Shorts
  • 2001: Love Stories
  • 2008: Coda
  • 2011: Wanted
  • 2016: 1985

Producer

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  • 2005: Deadroom
  • 2008: Coda (short)
  • 2008: My Mom Smokes Weed (short)

Actor

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  • 2011: 3 Thumbs Up as himself (documentary)

Awards

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For Happy Birthday
For Deadroom
  • 2005: Won Director's Award at the Texas Film Festival (sharing with James M. Johnston, David Lowery and Nick Prendergast)

References

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  1. ^ Kohn, Eric (October 25, 2018). "Yen Tan Has Been Making Movies For Over 15 Years, But Says 'Being a Queer Asian' Has Hurt His Career". IndieWire.
  2. ^ Buchanan, Kyle (December 10, 2008). "So Long, Farewell". The Advocate.
  3. ^ Dallas Voice: 'Ciao' now available on DVD
  4. ^ Queerious: Yen Tan's Pit Stop
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