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 prestigious Vilcek Prize for Creative Promise.

Personal life
Tan is openly gay.

Director

 * Feature films
 * 2002: Happy Birthday
 * 2005: Deadroom (Co-directed with James M. Johnston, David Lowery and Nick Prendergast)
 * 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)