about
Dan Chen developed his love of film as a Chinese American teenager growing up in small town Kansas. He picked up the camera to connect with others, partnering with friends to make elaborate coming of age movies, and documenting the moments they'd later be nostalgic for. He studied fine art film photography in college, and graduated from the USC School of Cinematic Arts focusing on cinematography and directing.
His work at Jubilee Media has garnered over 100+ million views, and his films have been featured on Vimeo Staff Picks, Short of the Week, Slamdance Film Festival and most recently the 2021 Tribeca Festival, where he premiered his documentary feature debut Accepted to critical acclaim. Accepted follows four high school seniors at the controversial TM Landry school as they grapple with college admissions, national scandal, and the pains of growing up.
Dan has decades of directing experience in narrative and documentary, and he trained his eye as a cinematographer and analog film photographer. He sees filmmaking as a way to create life-changing memories for audiences and collaborators alike, and he tells character-driven stories about outsiders, human flaws, and coming of age.
Dan is currently based in Los Angeles, developing new projects as he prepares to direct his first narrative feature film.
Management
Achieve Entertainment | Diego Arrambide
Direct
Select Press
Deadline ‘Accepted’ Filmmakers On How They Pivoted When “Miracle School Story” They Thought They Were Making Suddenly Exploded: “The S**t Hit The Fan”
The Guardian Accepted: behind a US college admissions scandal and the students affected
Talkhouse Why Media Representation Alone Will Never Make You Feel Accepted
The Black Cape Mag How ‘Accepted’ Director Dan Chen Shines A Light On Students Amidst A Broken System
Deadline Tribeca Doc ‘Accepted’ Acquired By Greenwich Entertainment, Gets Summer Release Date
The Hollywood Reporter ‘Accepted’: Film Review | Tribeca 2021
Filmmaker Magazine Dan Chen on his Tribeca-Debuting High School and College Admissions Doc, Accepted
Final Draft How Accepted exposed the realities of a 21st century student and the American education system
The Moveable Fest Tribeca 2021 Interview: Dan Chen on the Hard-Earned Education of Accepted
Mutha Magazine The Hype and High-Stakes of Education: A Conversation with the Filmmaker Behind Accepted
Short of the Week Ella Online Premiere
Adolescent Ella: behind the new American coming of age story
Short of the Week Giselle Online Premiere
Areas of Interest
Outsiders, minorities, and Asian American stories.
Systemic issues, human fallibility, and empathy.
Nostalgia, memory, and coming of age.
Questioning the status quo, structures of power, and media itself.