MEET ANDREW AHN
“I'm interested in a creative exchange of ideas,
philosophies, and perspectives.”
Andrew Ahn by Janice Chung
Andrew Ahn is a queer Korean American filmmaker. Ahn's latest feature Fire Island (Searchlight Pictures) stars Joel Kim Booster, Bowen Yang, and Margaret Cho. The film won the Ensemble Tribute at the 2023 Gotham Awards, a GLAAD Award for Outstanding Film Streaming/TV, and was nominated for two Emmy Awards. Ahn's sophomore feature DRIVEWAYS premiered at the 2019 Berlinale and was nominated for two Independent Spirit Awards for Best First Screenplay and Best Lead Actress for Hong Chau. Ahn's first film Spa Night premiered at the 2016 Sundance Film Festival and won a Special Jury Award for Breakthrough Performance. The film went on to win the 2017 John Cassavetes Film Independent Spirit Award. He has promoted diversity in the arts by mentoring youth filmmakers through programs like Pacific Arts Movement’s Reel Voices, Outfest’s OutSet, and the Sundance Institute's Native Filmmaker Lab.
Work
Fire Island (2023)
Driveways (2019)
Spa Night (2016)
mentor profile
Queer|Art|Mentorship will be accepting applications from emerging artists across the country. Are you open to working with someone remotely, or would you prefer they are based in the same city as you?
“Either!”
What interests you about mentoring?
“I'm interested in a creative exchange of ideas, philosophies, and perspectives.”
Given your experience and interests, what kind of emerging artist do you feel best positioned to support?
“I feel I'm best positioned to support a filmmaker who is navigating the growth of their career, from short films to features. I can help filmmakers who are trying to figure out how to balance their creative impulses with an industry, with financial reality.”
As a mentor, what would you like to offer an emerging artist? What would you like to receive?
“I hope to be able to provide insight and guidance in the hopes of creating a more generous, sustainable film industry and community. I hope to receive fresh perspectives and unadulterated creative vision!”
Have you had mentors of your own? Who have they been?
“Yes! Ira Sachs! Eliza Hittman!”