Out On Screen Announces Departure of Brandon Yan, Executive Director

Vancouver, January 15, 2024 – Out On Screen, a leading organization dedicated to 2SLGBTQIA+ media arts and education, regretfully announces the departure of Brandon Yan from his role as Executive Director, effective March 27, 2024.

Yan has been an instrumental part of the Out On Screen team since 2015, contributing his leadership and passion for 2SLGBTQIA+ representation and education. As the sole Program Coordinator and later Education Director, Yan grew the Out In Schools program into a powerhouse, reaching over 20,000 youth annually at its peak. Under his leadership, Out In Schools also collaborated with the BC Ministry of Education to implement new policies and procedures supporting 2SLGBTQIA+ youth in every BC school district.

As Executive Director since mid-2020, Yan led the organization through unprecedented challenges with a focus on building staff capacity, financial sustainability, and continued program delivery in hybrid online and in-person formats. He leaves the organization having successfully re-launched in-person programs in 2023 with the best-attended Vancouver Queer Film Festival in the last decade and led the update to Out On Screen’s next strategic plan. Yan’s commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment is reflected in the transformative growth of Out On Screen’s programs and internal operations. Yan said,

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. 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.

The Board of Directors expresses its gratitude for Brandon’s dedication and contributions to Out On Screen. Board Chair Chris Hallamore said,

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. We are grateful for his service to this organization and are excited to see where his career takes him next.

The Board will commence a search for a new Executive Director to build on Out On Screen’s successes and lead the organization into its next chapter. Information will be made available on our careers page.

For media inquiries or further information, please contact:
media@outonscreen.com

About Out On Screen

Out On Screen is a charitable organization that illuminates, celebrates, and transforms 2SLGBTQIA+ lives through film, education, and dialogue. The Vancouver Queer Film Festival celebrates and promotes authentic authorship and representation that uplifts, empowers, and furthers the liberty, culture, and justice of 2SLGBTQIA+ people. The award-winning Out In Schools program brings age-appropriate queer cinema into school classrooms and communities across BC to combat homophobia, transphobia, and bullying, and to provide the language and tools for inclusion. Out On Screen is proud to be among the leaders in Canada working to create an equitable society where 2SLGBTQIA+ people are respected, valued, and protected across all our intersections of identity. www.outonscreen.com 

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