Bao Nguyen | Director, Producer

Bao Nguyen | Director, Producer

It was an organization called Breakthrough that inspired Bao Nguyen to use his talents for documentary storytelling, so it seems fitting that he is being recognized now on BAFTA's Breakthrough initiative. He had every intention of becoming a lawyer, but a spell as an intern at Breakthrough, a human rights organization, that uses documentary films to engage people on social issues, rekindled his love for filmmaking.

Bao has over 19 shorts and documentaries to his credit as a cinematographer and director. His BAFTA Breakthrough project is ‘Be Water.’ The documentary chronicles two years actor Bruce Lee spent in Hong Kong to complete his final four films. Showing never-before-seen footage, it shows an endearing portrait of Lee and addresses the stifling racism and bias the actor faced in Hollywood. The film is part of ESPN’s 30 for 30 series and has received several award nominations. 

Bao is aware of the history of BAFTA's commitment to support filmmakers of all communities and looks forward to networking and meeting some of his BAFTA award winning heroes and other BAFTA Breakthrough members.