Rick brings over three decades of experience in the entertainment industry, making him an exceptional choice to lead VAFF into a new era of creativity and growth. Rick’s deep connection to VAFF includes his previous roles as Director of Media and Publicity as well as Programming in various years where he showcased his expertise in fostering relationships and spotlighting diverse voices in film.
“Timing has played an important part at this juncture in my stepping into this role at the Vancouver Asian Film Festival, an organization I have long supported, witnessing its exponential growth through the years,” said Rick Tae. “VAFF is a vital platform for amplifying Asian voices in film and fostering cultural understanding through storytelling. I am honored to build on its incredible legacy and look forward to working with the talented team to champion diversity and innovation in the arts.”
A graduate of Point Park University in Pittsburgh, PA, with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre, Rick has built a multifaceted career spanning film, television, and live theatre. He has created and written original feature films, shorts, TV, and multimedia projects, guiding them through various stages of development, production, and distribution. He is also an alumnus of Canada’s National Screen Institute Totally Television Program and a recipient of Telefilm screenplay funding.
In addition to his extensive creative and leadership experience, Rick is a Leo Award-winning actor for his role in Godiva’s with supporting actor nominations for both the Gemini and Leo Awards. His experience extends to coaching over 100 professional actors and writers across Vancouver, Shanghai, and Los Angeles, as well as producing and directing Jessie Award-winning and nominated theatre productions.
Rick’s expertise also includes working on major Hollywood projects, such as assisting director/producer Roland Emmerich on Sony Pictures’ worldwide blockbuster 2012.
His extensive network and cross-cultural collaborations in North America and Asia underscore his commitment to elevating a wide spectrum of stories and talent.
As Festival Director, Rick will lead VAFF in curating dynamic programming, fostering industry partnerships, and creating opportunities for underrepresented but passionately emerging artists in film and media.
“We are excited to welcome Rick Tae to this pivotal role and we can’t wait to see VAFF’s incredible future under his leadership as we approach our third decade,” stated Barbara Lee, Founder and Board Chair of VAFF.
About the Vancouver Asian Film Festival: https://vaff.org | @vaffvancouver
Since its founding in 1995 and debut in 1997, the Vancouver Asian Film Festival (VAFF) has become a transformative force in Canada’s cinematic landscape, championing the diversity of Asian stories within Canada and globally. As the country’s longest-running Asian film festival, VAFF is more than an annual event—it is a cultural hub for creative voices that transcends boundaries and opens nuanced cultural dialogues. VAFF captivates thousands with its in-theatre and virtual experiences, while also fueling year-round conversations with its programming. Powered by a dedicated and passionate community of volunteers, sponsors, and donors, VAFF continues to push the envelope making space for new narratives and spotlighting underrepresented stories that reflect the complexity and richness of the Asian diaspora within a global context and a rapidly evolving entertainment landscape.
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