Meet Lynn Tang of Rancho Palos Verdes

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lynn Tang.

Hi Lynn, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I have always been deeply inspired by the arts, especially film and theater. I entered the industry as a film promoter while working at my first film festival, and I quickly realized there was significant room for growth in multicultural representation and authentic expression in storytelling.

This realization inspired me to carve out a path for multicultural storytelling and to create meaningful leadership opportunities for diverse expression. I brought this vision to life by founding ST Culture Advocacy and United Matriarchy Nations, through which we organize three major festivals annually that unite voices from all backgrounds to build not just a network, but a thriving and inclusive community.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Working in the film industry certainly has its obstacles, especially when it comes to executing multiple respected film festivals each year, because sometimes things happen that are just out of your control. When you love what you do, however, and are passionate about your mission, these types of obstacles hardly slow you down. The need to navigate unpredictable obstacles is rare, but we know how to quickly adjust and create solutions because the show must go on!

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I have been working as a film and theater producer for 13 years now, and I am the executive director and festival organizer for the Universe Multicultural Film Festival (UMFF) and we are thrilled to announce that the upcoming festival will take place June 5–7, 2026.

The Universe Multicultural Film Festival provides an equal stage for every culture of all backgrounds to be celebrated and shine. This three-day event features film screenings from around the world, ensuring that every culture has a place at UMFF. All participants are given equal opportunities and cultural representatives are held to the same standards in competitions.

Attendees can register for different events such as film screenings, industry panels featuring experts in film and entertainment, culturally inspired events, red carpet, the after-party, and more.

For film lovers, UMFF showcases unique and thought-provoking cinema that broadens perspectives and refreshes the imagination. For filmmakers, it provides an exceptional platform to connect, collaborate, and create cross-cultural film projects. For distributors, it offers a vibrant marketplace featuring a diverse selection of films and for local communities, it is a dynamic celebration filled with entertainment, cultural enrichment, and educational experiences.

We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
The biggest risk factor of running a multicultural and multinational event is unpredictability. Specifically, this applies to international representation and finding replacements for our panelists and filmmakers. We are always 120% prepared, but factors like the pandemic or even current policies affect attendance and submissions from our filmmakers traveling from abroad, which impacts our international representation.

Last year, at the Universal Multicultural Film Festival 2025, we had many filmmakers, contestants, panelists, and creatives of Latin American and Native American heritage who had already signed up, completed run-throughs, and prepared their work and merchandise. Ultimately, they were unable to attend due to unforeseen immigration-related enforcement and travel barriers by ICE. At a festival dedicated to cultural diversity and opportunity, their absence was deeply felt, and it was a reminder of how vital each voice, story, and presence is to the heart and mission of UMFF.

As a festival organizer, risk is not something to avoid but something to plan for and navigate with resilience to protect the festival’s vision of cultural inclusivity and equal representation.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://umfilms.org/Home.html
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/umfilmfestival/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UMFFestival/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/universe-multicultural-film-festival/posts/?feedView=all
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoRpD3qgrI0-bmJXw5gYh_O2AjUrLqnib