Van Ditthavong – Film + Commercial Director

bio

Van Ditthavong was born in Vientiane, Laos and came to the US when he was 4-years-old. He began his career as an award-winning still photographer before transitioning to filmmaking. ALL ROADS TO PEARLA (starring Alex MacNicoll, Addison Timlin, Nick Chinlund, and Dash Mihok) and produced by Red Entertainment and goPOP FILMS is his feature directing debut. It world premiered in competition at the 26th Austin Film Festival and is nominated for the 2020 Texas Independent Film Award by the Houston Film Critics Society.

Van is also the founding partner and executive producer of goPOP FILMS – a creative content studio and production company based in LOS ANGELES, CA. He has taught at the New York Film Academy (Los Angeles) and UCLA Extension – where he received the 2015 Outstanding Instructor of the Year honor for the Visual Arts Department.

Van is in post-production of his second feature BELLYACHE (starring Marianne Rendón), shot in Costa Rica. It is a supernatural drama he wrote about a grieving witch who escapes to a cabin alone to give birth. He is also attached to a post-apocalyptic horror film from producer Johnny Lin (Thelma, American Made, Hesher, Bernie) written by Conor McKnight.

Van Ditthavong Director's Reel

Photography Work

Van’s work has been commissioned by Men’s Health, Newsweek, AARP, Stanford University, Nokia, Guitar World, Texas Monthly, TV Guide, Psychology Today, American Way and other national magazines.

Motion Work

DIRECT CONTACT

van@gopopfilms.com

LOS ANGELES, CA

awards

HONORS + RECOGNITIONS

26th Austin Film Festival: Competition Film (Dark Matters)

5TH Chandler Int. Film Festival: ALL ROADS TO PEARLA (F.K.A. SLEEPING IN PLASTIC)
+ 5 nominations BEST NEW FILMMAKER, BEST MUSIC SCORE, BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY, & BEST FIRST FEATURE
+ Winner BEST LATE NIGHT FILM

Houston Film Critics Society Awards: nomination (Texas Independent Film Award)

8TH EVOLUTION! Mallarca Int. Film Festival – nominated for BEST FILM, BEST ACTOR, BEST ACTRESS

13TH Lonestar Film Festival – OPENING NIGHT FILM

PHOTOGRAPHY AWARDS

2011
International Photography Awards (portraiture)
2009
International Photography Awards (family portraiture, editorial sports)
Px3 – Prix de la Photographie, Paris – Photography Competition (portrait/culture category)
2008
International Photography Awards (fine art portraiture, fine art still life, and personal portraiture)
Joined AtEdge – an invite only series of publications showcasing the top 150 assignment photographers in the world