BIO

tao/s (Aaron & Winston Tao) are a Chinese-American writing and directing duo. Often known for their emotionally compelling and humanistic approach, their films have a strong emphasis on social causes and have been recognized by Cannes, 1.4, D&D, AICP, SHOTS, Heartland Film Festival, Beijing International Film Festival, and Vimeo Staff Picks, to name a few. “The Rabbit Hole,” picked up awards at almost every major festival including 4 Cannes Lions nominations for best direction, script, sound design, and editing and went on to win silver in best direction at Cannes as well as Best Direction at AICP. It was named Ad of the Year in Charity at SHOTS and clinched gold at 1.4 for “On The Cusp of Greatness.” Their branded film, “Sleep Well, My Baby,” won silver at the Cannes Young Director Awards and was also shortlisted for “Best Short Film.” Their other branded films, “Watching,” and “SuperMaarko,” won them an additional Cannes Young Director Award, the Webby Award for People’s Voice, as well as nominations for “Best Emerging Directors,” and “Best Narrative,” at the One Screen Film Festival, respectively. They are currently in development for their feature, GOODBYE, HURRICANE, an Academy Nicholls semifinalist, Sundance semifinalist, and Black List x CAPE finalist for 2021. The brothers are repped by CAA and M88.

select Awards/Recognition

Cannes Lions, “The Rabbit Hole,” Best Direction, Silver Winner, 2023
Cannes Lions, “The Rabbit Hole,” Best Script, Shortlist, 2023
Cannes Lions “The Rabbit Hole,” Best Editing, Shortlist, 2023
Cannes Lions, “The Rabbit Hole,” Best Sound Design, Shortlist, 2023
D&D Awards, “The Rabbit Hole,” Best Long Form, Wooden Pencil Winner, 2023
AICP Show, “The Rabbit Hole,” Best Direction, Winner, 2023
AICP Next Awards, “The Rabbit Hole,” Purpose Driven, Shortlist, 2023
The One Show Awards, “The Rabbit Hole,” Best Branded Entertainment, Long Form Video, Silver Winner, 2023
Webby Awards, “The Rabbit Hole,” Best Branded Entertainment, Public Service & Activism, Nominee, 2023
Shots, “The Rabbit Hole,” Ad of the Year: Charity, Gold Winner, 2023
Anthem Awards, “The Rabbit Hole,” Special Projects, Gold Winner, 2023
Anthem Awards, “The Rabbit Hole,” Film, Video, Television or Show, Silver Winner, 2023
Vimeo Staff Pick, “The Rabbit Hole,” Official Selection, 2022
1.4 Awards, “The Rabbit Hole,” On The Cusp of Greatness, Best Branded, Gold Winner, 2022
1.4 Awards, “The Rabbit Hole,” On The Cusp of Greatness, Best Short Film, Shortlist, 2022
Indie Shorts Awards Cannes, “The Rabbit Hole,” Jury Award, Best Male Director Winner, 2022
One Screen/Show Awards, "The Rabbit Hole", Best in Craft, Emerging Filmmaker Winner, 2022
One Screen Film Festival, "The Rabbit Hole", Best in Genre, Fiction Winner, 2022
One Screen Film Festival, "The Rabbit Hole", Best in Craft, Directing Winner, 2022
One Screen Film Festival, "The Rabbit Hole", Best in Craft, Screenplay Nominee, 2022
One Screen Film Festival, "The Rabbit Hole", Best in Latin America Nominee, 2022
Beyond the Short, "The Rabbit Hole", Official Selection, 2022
Film Shortage, "The Rabbit Hole", Best Picks of the Month, 2022
Cannes Indie Shorts Awards, "The Rabbit Hole,” Best Male Director, 2022
Directors Notes, "The Rabbit Hole", 2022 Premiere
The Black List x CAPE, "Goodbye, Hurricane", 2021 Finalist
Academy Nicholls Fellowship, "Goodbye, Hurricane", 2021 Semi-Finalist
The Black List, "Goodbye, Hurricane", 2021 Black List Recommended
Hollyshorts Film Festival, "Sleep Well, My Baby", 2019 Official Selection
Cannes Lions YDA Awards, "Watching", Changing the World Frame by Frame, 2019 Silver Award Winner
Cannes Lions YDA Awards, "Sleep Well, My Baby", Changing the World Frame by Frame, 2018 Silver Award Winner
Cannes Lions YDA Awards, "Sleep Well, My Baby", Best Short Film, 2018 Shortlist
Kinsale Shark Awards, "Sleep Well, My Baby", Best Short Film, 2018 Shortlist
Kinsale Shark Awards, "Sleep Well, My Baby", Best Direction, 2018 Shortlist
1.4 Awards, "Sleep Well, My Baby", 2018 Nominee
Webby Awards, "Sleep Well, My Baby", 2018 Honorable Mention
Vimeo Staff Pick, "Sleep Well, My Baby," 2017                                    
Booooooom, "Sleep Well, My Baby," 2017 Feature                               
One Screen/Show Awards, "SuperMaarko," 2017 Best Emerging Directors Nominee
One Screen/Show Awards, "SuperMaarko," 2017 Best Narrative, Nominee              
 Webby Awards, "SuperMaarko", 2017 People's Voice, Winner
Webby Awards, "SuperMaarko," 2017 Best Film Social Activism, Nominee
Internet Advertising Competition, "SuperMaarko," 2017 Best Non-Profit Online Video, Winner                                              
Brand Film Festival, "SuperMaarko," 2017 Official Selection  
ADCAN Awards, "Home", Grand Prix, 2017 Shortlist
Source Creative Showcase, "Before the Fall.", 2016 Official Selection
Cannes Short Film Corner, "Picture. Perfect.", 2013 Official Selection
Beijing International Film Festival, "Picture. Perfect.", Audience Award, 2013 Winner                                              
Warsaw International Film Festival, "Picture. Perfect.", Best Short Film, 2012 Grand Prix Nominee                                                       
Heartland Film Festival, "Picture. Perfect.", 2012 Official Selection                                          
Hawaii International Film Festival, "Picture. Perfect.", 2012 Official Selection                                       
Durango Independent Film Festival, "Picture. Perfect.", Jury Commendation Award, 2012 Winner                                                        
Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival, "Picture. Perfect.", 2012 Official Selection                                          
Charleston International Film Festival, "Picture. Perfect.", 2012 Official Selection                                         
Dallas International Film Festival, "Wash Me,” 2012 Best Student Short Film, Nominee   

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