One of B.C.’s most vocal advocates for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community is leaving his post, effective March 27.
Since mid-2020, Brandon Yan has been executive director of Out On Screen. It oversees the Vancouver Queer Film Festival and the Out in Schools program.
“While I am sad to bid farewell to this incredible community, I am also filled with hope and excitement for the future of Out On Screen,” Yan said in a statement. “The organization is in excellent hands, and I have full confidence that it will continue to grow and make a positive difference in the lives of queer, trans, and Two Spirit peoples.”
Yan joined the organization in 2015, first as program coordinator as the Out in Schools. He later became education director of this initiative, which offers workshops for educators.
In 2018, Yan ran for Vancouver city council as a OneCity Vancouver candidate. He received 36,167 votes, coming 17th in the race for 10 seats on council..
According to Out On Screen, last year’s Vancouver Queer Film Festival was the best attended in the last decade with Yan at the helm.
“Brandon’s leadership of Out On Screen through the COVID-19 pandemic, shifts in political discourse on 2SLGBTQIA+ expression and education, and our ever-changing community’s needs has been defined by his care for people, his warm leadership style, and his strategic focus,” board chair Chris Hallamore said.
It’s the second high-profile departure from Out On Screen in the past year-and-a-half. In 2022, the Vancouver Queer Film Festival’s artistic director, Anoushka Ratnarajah, left after five years in that position. She’s now lead curator with the Indian Summer Festival.
The Vancouver Queer Film Festival is accepting submissions to this year’s festival. For more information, visit the Out On Screen website.
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