Vanessa Matsui
Ontario
Vanessa Matsui is a Japanese-Canadian director, writer, and actor based in Toronto. She specializes in making taboo-breaking dark comedy with heart.
Her directing credits include SAINT PIERRE (CBC), where she directed her debut hour of television and is returning for seasons two and three, where she also recurs as an actor. Additional directing credits include MURDOCH MYSTERIES (CBC), CHILDREN RUIN EVERYTHING (CTV/CW/Roku), and three seasons of SON OF A CRITCH (CBC). She directed and executive-produced HOW TO FAIL AS A POPSTAR (CBC Gem/Sphere), which screened at Canneseries and won the CSA for Best Web Series in 2024. Her feature debut MIDNIGHT AT THE PARADISE is now streaming on Paramount+.
A Sundance New Voices alumna, Vanessa created, directed several episodes, and starred in the web series GHOST BFF — earning six Canadian Screen Award nominations, two for her performance. Season one was acquired by Elizabeth Banks' WhoHaha, amassing over 4.7 million views and winning Best Web Series at the LA International Femme Film Festival.
As an actor with over two decades in television, film, and theatre, her credits include SisterS (Shaftesbury), SCHITT'S CREEK (CBC), and THE HOT ZONE: ANTHRAX (NatGeo), opposite Daniel Dae Kim and Tony Goldwyn. That experience on both sides of the camera shapes how she directs, building sets where actors can take risks, be vulnerable, and do their best work, even on the tightest schedules.
Jay Horwitz and Tina Horwitz at Vanguarde Artists Management Tel: 416-972-9542
Awards
Main Reel
Max and Charmaine clip
Piano clip
Club clip
Diner clip
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Midnight At The Paradise
Link: IMDB
Role: Director
Studio / Network: Paramount +
Type: Indie Feature
Genre: Romance, Drama
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Son of A Critch
Episodes: 212,309,310
Link: IMDB
Role: Director
Studio / Network: CBC, CW
Type: Half-hour episodic (TV/SVOD)
Genre: Comedy
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How To Fail As A Pop Star
Episodes: 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108
Link: IMDB
Roles: Director, Executive Producer
Type: Digital Series
Genre: Comedy
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Ghost BFF
Episodes: 103, 104, 105, 206
Link: IMDB
Roles: Director, Writer, Showrunner, Actor
Type: Digital Series
Genre: Comedy
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