Van Ditthavong was born in Vientiane, Laos and immigrated to the US when he was 4-years-old. He began his career as an award-winning still photographer before transitioning to filmmaking. SLEEPING IN PLASTIC (starring Alex MacNicoll, Addison Timlin, Nick Chinlund, and Dash Mihok) and produced by Red Entertainment and goPOP FILMS is his feature directing debut. It world premiered in competition at the 26th Austin Film Festival and was nominated for the 2020 Texas Independent Film Award by the Houston Film Critics Society.

Van is also the founding partner and executive producer of goPOP FILMS – a creative content studio and production company representing some of the most exciting directors working today. He 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.