Ann Anlan Tao
Welcome to my world of cinema.
About Me
Director, Assistant Director, Writer, Editor, VFX
Anlan Tao (Ann) is a Chinese filmmaker and storyteller based in Los Angeles, known for blending fantasy and emotional realism through her cinematic languages. She earned her BFA in Theatre Directing from The Central Academy of Drama in Beijing and recently completed her MFA in Film and Television Production at the USC School of Cinematic Arts.
Growing up in a family marked by contrasting beliefs and temperaments, Ann developed a deep curiosity about human emotion and connection. She began writing poetry and directing short radio plays at a young age, which eventually inspired her to pursue filmmaking.
As a writer, director, editor, VFX Artist, her work spans short films, animation, virtual production, and commercial projects. Her writer-director credits include Little Fierce Loong, Top Voices, Kingdom of Songs, Oak Tree, She & He, Steel Forest, and Ten Thousand Poems, which have entered international festivals such as the Chinese American Film Festival, Beijing International Film Festival, LA Shorts International Film Festival, Vancouver Chinese Film Festival, and Children’s Film Festival Seattle.
As a 2nd assistant director, she has contributed to award-winning short films including Neither Donkey Nor Horse, John, and a Coca-Cola Refreshing commercial. These projects have garnered accolades such as the Student Academy Award, DGA Student Film Award, Telluride selection, and Student Emmy.
Ann has collaborated with leading media companies including Sony, Huayi Brothers, and Phoenix Pictures, and has served as an assistant to directors across both independent and studio projects.
Ann loves to tell stories centered around children, animals, women, and elderly people. She strives to combine technologies, including VFX, Virtual Production, and AI Tech, to convey universal emotions and conflicts using visual and auditory elements, aiming to resonate with audiences. Ann is a storyteller focused on children, animals, women, and the elderly. She blends technology with narrative to create complex, emotionally rich, and bittersweet stories.
Cinematic Works
Kingdom of Songs
Genre: Drama/Comedy/Fantasy
Elements: Children/Family/Immigrants
Role: Writer/Director/Editor/Sound Designer
Steel Forest
Genre: Drama/Comedy/Family
Elements: Left-Behind Children
Role: Writer/Director/Editor
Ten Thousand Poems
Genre: Drama/Comedy/Family
Elements: Left-Behind Children
Role: Writer/Director/Editor
She & He
Genre: Drama/Romance/Comedy
Elements: Music/Seniors/Immigrants/Woman/Theatre
Role: Writer/Director/Editor
Links for all projects are available upon request.
Diamond Heist
Genre: Sci-Fi/Thriller/Adventure
Elements: Woman/People with Color/Virtual Production
Role: Co-Director/Co-Writer/Editor/VFX
Thorn of Love
Genre: Animation/Comedy/Romance
Elements: Cartoon/Virtual Production
Role: Writer/Director/Animator/Editor/Compositor
