Meet Vanessa Kao | Director & Editor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Vanessa Kao and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Vanessa, where are your from? We’d love to hear about how your background has played a role in who you are today?
Los Angeles-born and Taiwan-raised, I am constantly enriched by the diverse people and cultures I encounter along my artistic journey. Having traveled extensively across Asia, I have absorbed the abundant Eastern cultures, traditions, and philosophies. Embodying a fusion of Eastern and Western storytelling techniques and perspectives, I channel the duality of my identity into my films.

Since childhood, I have been drawn to every art form that allowed me to express emotions. Inspired by the vibrant paintings of Matisse, the mesmerizing music of Chopin, and the graceful movements of ballet, I found tremendous joy in drawing, piano, percussion, and choir. My passion for movement led me to explore folk, tap, ballet, jazz funk, and contemporary dance. These experiences developed my musicality and deepened my sensitivity to rhythm and movement, qualities that now influence my work as a director and editor.

My theater acting and directing background taught me to treasure vulnerability and honesty in performance. With my strong compassion and sensibility comes the superpower to create heartfelt stories that transcend language and cultural barriers.

Beyond my connections to Los Angeles and Taiwanese filmmakers, I’ve had the privilege of collaborating with artists worldwide, including Liberian, Nigerian, Italian, Colombian, Boricua, Russian, Spanish, Japanese, Korean, and Croatian, telling stories for Muslim, Latino, African-American, and Asian communities. These experiences further deepen my appreciation for diverse cultural expressions in cinema.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I am a Taiwanese-American director and editor passionate about crafting stories that resonate across cultures and borders. My work explores humanity, love and belonging, self-discovery, and social issues.

My directing is rooted in a powerful female perspective. I examine the transformations and choices women face today, often expressed through movement, musicality, vivid and poetic visuals, and truthful performance. “The Phantom,” a reimagined feature film inspired by the classic tale, follows Christine Daae’s rise to stardom as she fights to free herself from her father’s and lover’s control. “Lose Myself,” a music video blending comedy and fantasy to portray a modern woman’s quest for love, was made with artists from LA and Taipei and received the Silver Remi Award at WorldFest-Houston International Film Festival.

In “Velvet & Stone,” I use contemporary dance to depict a young woman’s internal struggle and eventual embrace of life’s uncertainties and growth. “27” explores the emotional dilemma of choosing between motherhood and career, told through a quiet, intimate performance that speaks to the modern female experience.

As an editor, my work champions inclusion, diversity, women’s empowerment, and innovation across narrative, documentary, music video, and commercial projects. “Ramadan America,” a TV series celebrating stories within the Muslim community, was showcased at SXSW Muslim House and won SeriesFest’s All Around Excellence Award. “Renacer,” which explores the post-abortion journey of a young Puerto Rican immigrant in LA, was screened at NewFilmmakers LA: Female Cinema.

On “Europa,” a sci-fi drama utilizing Sony’s LED Virtual Production Stage and featured at the Sony NAB Show, I embraced evolving industry trends and innovative editing techniques. My work on the BAFTA-shortlisted and Student DGA-winning documentary “Danceable,” which follows three dancers with disabilities seeking freedom through movement, reinforced my dedication to socially conscious storytelling.

At the heart of it all is my belief that art has the power to impact and shape the world. Every character I craft, every story I choose to tell, is created with care and intention, always with the hope of offering the audience a safe, imaginative space to heal, find comfort, rediscover joy, feel empowered, and be moved.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
LA has some gems for art, scenery, and food lovers. I always recommend starting with a visit to The Getty Center, not only for its stunning architecture and world-class art collection, but also for the panoramic views of the city. Another favorite is the Norton Simon Museum in Pasadena. It’s more intimate but filled with amazing artwork.

For a tranquil, recharging experience, visit the Huntington Library and Botanical Gardens. I love their Japanese and rose gardens. If you’re chasing golden hour, Angels Point is a quiet, scenic spot to watch the sunset and enjoy the beautiful view of downtown LA.

Food-wise, I’m a huge fan of Oste for Italian. It’s cozy but elevated. And if you’re a matcha lover, Tea Master in Little Tokyo is a must.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I want to dedicate this shoutout to my editing mentor, Kate Amend, ACE. She sparked my love and appreciation for editing during my time in the MFA program at USC’s School of Cinematic Arts. With her guidance and encouragement, I discovered the endless creative possibilities within storytelling. She gave me the freedom to experiment, push boundaries, and infuse my artistic voice and perspective into my work.

I’m also deeply grateful to my family and friends who have supported and cheered me on throughout the journey.

My background in theater, both as an actress and director, taught me to deeply empathize with characters from different times, cultures, and worldviews. Influenced by visionary artists such as Dimitris Papaioannou, Pina Bausch, Hirokazu Koreeda, Joe Hisaishi, Henri Matisse, and Thornton Wilder, I strive to bring poetic and striking visuals, movement, musicality, and humanistic care into my storytelling.

Lastly, I’m thankful for every audience member who has approached me after a screening to share how deeply they were moved, whether through laughter, tears, encouragement, or comfort. Moments like those remind me why I do what I do: to help people feel seen, inspired, and a little more ready to face their own lives.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nessavakao/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nessavakao/

Image Credits
Bruce Chiu, Jumai Yusuf, Jenniffer Gonzalez Martinez, Nian-Cheng Chang