Vanessa Matsui is a director, actor, and writer, and her feature 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. Currently, Vanessa assumes the role of Executive Producer and series director for Sphere Media's "How To Fail As A Pop Star" (CBC Gem), created by Vivek Shraya. She has also directed three episodes of the hit TV series "Son Of A Critch" (CBC, CW).

Vanessa has spent two decades as an actress 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.