ERIN LAU
DIRECTOR • PRODUCER • WRITER
Raised in Kahaluʻu on Oʻahu, Native Hawaiian filmmaker Erin Lau fell in love with filmmaking in middle school, while videotaping concerts and public access TV commercials for her father's Hawaiian music non-profit. After completing her Bachelors at the Academy for Creative Media at the University of Hawaiʻi, Erin worked as a videographer and editor for Native Hawaiian production company, ʻŌiwi TV. She later moved to Los Angeles after receiving a full-ride merit scholarship from Chapman University, where she completed her MFA in Directing. During her education, she was selected as a Sundance Native Lab fellow for her film "The Moon and The Night," which went on to screen in over 30 film festivals around the world, as well as on broadcast networks including PBS and KHON. After the film was shortlisted for the 2018 student BAFTAs, Erin signed with the United Talent Agency (UTA) and LINK Entertainment.
Since graduating, Erin has had the honor of continuing her growth through programs including: Powderkeg’s Break The Room, Sundance’s Indigenous Intensive presented by Warner Media, and Unlock Her Potential. Most recently, she was shortlisted for the 2020 HBOAccess Directing program. By day, Erin works as a Senior Producer-Director for digital media company, Jubilee Media, creating empathy-forward videos for their channel. Her videos have garnered over 120 million views and given her the opportunity to develop content for brands including Google, Netflix, Always, and SK-II. By night, she is developing projects inspired by her family and heritage to elevate Pacific Islander stories.
When she isn't creating, Erin is working on improving her ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi, dancing in her living room, & looking for more opportunities to serve her community.
PANELS + INTERVIEWS:
2021
Native Hawaiian Cinema: 2021 and Beyond
Presented by Sundance & HOMA
2020
Native Women in Film
Presented by Rolling Rez Arts & First Peoples Fund
Presented by ‘Ohina Film Showcase
C3: Pacific Cinewaves
Presented by LA Visual Communications
The Future of Kānaka Maoli Filmmaking: Where do we go from here?
Presented by Hawaiʻi International Film Festival
Presented by Walker Art Center