milky tran
viet-american writer/director​
​
Hi, I'm Milky :)
Originally from the suburbs of Pittsburgh, I'm a 25 year-old Vietnamese-American filmmaker based in Los Angeles.
​
Growing up in a white community that made me feel invisible and with my parents (who are Vietnamese immigrants) working 60+ hour weeks in their nail salon, I spent much of my life in my head - daydreaming, observing and journaling about my life like it was a beautiful memoir - because I believed everything has meaning and I needed to feel important somewhere and to someone.
​
I write stories about how our everyday moments are the ones that make us who we are.
​
I create coming-of-age, family drama and romantic dramedies centering women of color protagonists exploring memories, relationships, womanhood and the Asian Diaspora at an intimate level.
​
I am repped by 3 Arts Entertainment and had the pleasure of being a film fellow of the DB Frieze LA Film Award with Endeavor Content and Ghetto Film School, nominated in the "Ones to Watch" Category at the Asian American International Film Festival and a mentee of the Unlock Her Potential mentorship program.
As a commercial director, I've directed branded content for Google, Warby Parker, Hello Fresh, Lelo, etc. I currently work as a director at Jubilee Media (8 Million+ subscribers).​
​
​
To learn more, check out my work and resume.
​
​
​
accolades
2023
SPOTLIGHT AWARD NOMINEE, 2023
Viet Film Awards
​
2022
KEYNOTE SPEAKER, 2022
Carnegie Mellon International Film Festival - Asian Made Short Films
​
SELECTED MENTEE, 2022
Unlock Her Potential - Mentor Bao Nguyen
​
2021
FILM FELLOW, 2021
DB Frieze LA Film Award with Endeavor Content and Ghetto Film School
​
SEMIFINALIST, 2021
Giant Leap Media Accelerator
​
SECOND ROUNDER, 2021
Sundance Development Track
​
2020
ONES TO WATCH (TOP THREE), 2020
Asian American International Film Festival
​
PEER MENTORING CIRCLE MENTEE
Women in Film LA
​
QUARTERFINALIST (9 Months)
Screencraft Screenwriting Fellowship
​
QUARTERFINALIST (9 Months)
Los Angeles International Screenplay Competition
​
DISTINGUISHED UNDERGRAD STUDENT AWARD
Point Park University - Outstanding Student Awards
​
OFFICIAL SELECTION (Rainbows in Toilets)
Albion Review National Undergrad Literary Journal
​
2019
BEST NARRATIVE FILM (American Love)
Pennsylvania College Film and Video Festival
​
BEST FILM, BEST DIRECTOR, BEST ACTRESS (Three Fish)
Indie Oaks Film Festival
​
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY (American Love)
Indie Oaks Film Festival
​
BEST FILM, BEST DIRECTOR (American Love)
Pitt Film Fest
​
BEST PERFORMANCE (Three Fish)
Pitt Film Fest
​
2ND PLACE BEST SHORT (American Love)
Carnegie Mellon International Film Festival
​
2018
​
OFFICIAL SELECTION (Picture Us)​
National Film Festival for the Talented Youth
​
BEST PERFORMANCE (Tougher Than You)
Pitt Film Fest
​
4TH PLACE BEST SHORT SCREENPLAY (Emily Has a Body)
Kinodrome Film Festival
​
2017
​
4TH PLACE BEST SHORT SCREENPLAY (The Last Tooth)
California Film Awards: International Film & Screenplay Competition
​
OFFICIAL SELECTION (Love and Goodwill)
Point Park LA Showcase
​
OFFICIAL SELECTION (Coffee)
Point Park LA Showcase
​
2016
​
BEST EXPERIMENTAL FILM (NOMINATION) (You Will Love Again)
Teen Indie Film Awards
​
BEST HIGH SCHOOL FILM (Conflicts of All Ages)
Carnegie Mellon International Film Festival
​
BEST STUDENT FILM (You Will Love Again)
Steeltown Take a Shot Film Festival
​