Yen Tan
Malaysian film actor, producer and screenwriter

Yen Tan

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Malaysian film actor, producer and screenwriter
Gender:
Male
Birth:
12 March 1975(Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)
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Biography

Introduction

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

Early life

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

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.

Hisscreenwriting 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.

Filmography

Director

Feature films
  • 2002: Happy Birthday
  • 2005: Deadroom
  • 2008: Ciao
  • 2013: Pit Stop
  • 2018: 1985
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)