by FilmInk Staff
Actor, filmmaker, educator, and martial artist Maria Tran has been appointed a Sundance Collab Community Leader for 2025–2026, joining a select group of creatives entrusted with shaping the global Sundance Collab community.
This appointment recognises Tran’s longstanding creative achievements and her commitment to supporting fellow filmmakers worldwide. In this role, she will collaborate with Sundance staff to moderate events, lead creative sessions, facilitate community forums, and strengthen connections among peers across the Collab platform.
With more than 15 years of experience spanning film, television, and theatre, Tran has built a reputation as a dynamic storyteller and trailblazer. She is the creator of the Echo 8 Trilogy, Australia’s female-led, micro-budget, community-driven action film series. The first film, Echo 8—made on $10,000 and shot over 14 days—is now streaming on Amazon Prime and SBS On Demand. Tran is currently in post-production for both the trilogy’s prequel, Five By Five, and its sequel, Echo 8 Beyond.
Alongside her screen work, Tran is based in Las Vegas as a host for MGM’s Family Feud Live, showcasing her ability to connect with audiences while balancing her filmmaking career across the U.S. and Australia.
Tran’s background blends artistry and academia: she holds a Bachelor of Psychology from Western Sydney University, and her martial-arts and fight-choreography expertise have made her a sought-after coach for actors and performers. Beyond her screen career, she has inspired audiences as a TEDx speaker (“We Need to Embrace Conflict,” 2017), was named among the 40 Under 40 Most Influential Asian-Australians (2019), and was a Finalist at the Western Sydney Women Awards (2022).
As a Sundance Collab Community Leader, Tran will bring her practical knowledge, global perspective, and passion for mentoring to a diverse network of emerging filmmakers. Her involvement promises to enrich the Sundance Collab community with authenticity, resilience, and hands-on expertise.
About Maria Tran
Maria Tran is an actor, director, producer, martial artist, and educator with a career spanning international screen and stage. She is the founder of Phoenix Eye Films, a female-led production company based in Australia and the U.S., dedicated to bold storytelling and cultivating the next generation of creative voices.
About Sundance Collab Community Leaders
Sundance Collab Community Leaders are experienced creatives who actively engage across the platform, facilitating workshops, building community, and advising Sundance staff on programming and development.
