ABOUT

Vanessa Matsui is a Japanese-Canadian director, actor, and writer based in Toronto, Ontario. She specializes in creating taboo-breaking dark comedy with heart.

Vanessa directed her debut one-hour television, directing on the first season of the procedural drama SAINT PIERRE (CBC), and is already returning to direct again on season two, where she also recurs as an actor. Vanessa's other directing credits include MURDOCH MYSTERIES (CBC), CHILDREN RUIN EVERYTHING (CTV, CW, ROKU), as well as three seasons of SON OF A CRITCH (CBC).  Vanessa directed and executive-produced the CBC Gem series HOW TO FAIL AS A POPSTAR (Sphere), which was accepted into Canneseries and won the CSA for Best Web Series in 2024.

Her feature film directorial debut, "Midnight At The Paradise”, is now available on Paramount+. The film has been screened at festivals around the world and has been nominated for Best Film at the Austin Film Festival, Cinequest, LA Femme International Film Festival, and the Julien Dubuque International Film Festival.

An alumna of the Sundance New Voices Lab, Vanessa developed the second season of her critically acclaimed web series "Ghost BFF," a project she conceived, wrote, co-directed several episodes of, and starred in. The series earned six Canadian Screen Award nominations, including Best Digital Series, and Vanessa received two nominations for her outstanding performance.

"Ghost BFF" garnered global attention; the first season was acquired by Elizabeth Banks’ Whohaha.com, with over 4.7 million views, screening at festivals worldwide and securing numerous awards, notably Best Web Series at the LA International Femme Film Festival.

Vanessa has spent over two decades as an actor in television, film, and theatre. Notable credits include “Shadowhunters” (Freeform), “Schitt’s Creek” (CBC), and “The Hot Zone: Anthrax” (NatGeo), where she starred opposite Daniel Dae Kim and Tony Goldwyn. Her extensive career in front of the camera and as an improviser has informed how she works as a director. Bringing her deep understanding of the actor’s process, she creates an on-set experience for actors to thrive, be vulnerable, and take risks even on the tightest of schedules.