Betsy Tsai grew up mostly in Silicon Valley, California, and for some years in Brussels, Belgium. She is a directing alumna from the UCLA School of Theater, Film, & Television, and she also studied English Literature and International Conflict Resolution. She has worked extensively with The Olive Tree Initiative, an education non-profit that takes a direct, multi-perspective approach to studying the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Betsy is a full-time staff member of the Documentary Film Program at Sundance Institute. She is an integral part of the Sundance Documentary Fund review and evaluation process, working directly with applicants, screeners, and fund panelists. She still works freelance as a director and producer in Los Angeles.