Yen Tan

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.

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 Vilcek Prize for Creative Promise.

Personal life

Tan is openly gay.

Filmography

Director

Feature films

2002: Happy Birthday
2005: Deadroom <small>(Co-directed with James M. Johnston, David Lowery and Nick Prendergast)</small>
2008: Ciao
2013: Pit Stop
2018: 1985
2024: All That We Love

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)