VAN DITTHAVONG was born in Vientiane, Laos and came to the US when he was 4-years-old as a refugee. He began his career as an award-winning still photographer before transitioning to filmmaking. His clients included Texas Monthly, American Way, Men’s Health, Stanford University, Psychology Today, and other national publications. He wrote, directed, and produced the feature film ALL ROADS TO PEARLA (starring Alex MacNicoll, Addison Timlin, Nick Chinlund, and Dash Mihok) which had its world premiere in competition at the 26th Austin Film Festival and was released by Gravitas Ventures in 2020.

His second feature film BELLYACHE starring Marianne Rendón (Mapplethorpe, Charlie Says) premiered Feb. 25th, 2026 at the 10th Annual Chandler International Film Festival where he won Best Director. The film was also nominated for Best Feature Film and Best Actress. It later screened at The Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth as part of their Beyond the Festival film series.

Van has taught at the New York Film Academy (Los Angeles) and UCLA Extension – where he received the 2015 Outstanding Instructor of the Year honor for the Visual Arts Department.