Akiko Izumitani is a female director/producer/writer, born and raised in Japan. She is also an active member of AWD (Alliance of Women Directors) in Los Angeles.
Akiko first earned recognition through her feature-length documentary, "Silent Shame" (2010), in-depth exploration into Japan's war crimes in WWII. It won numerous awards worldwide, including Best Feature in the Beijing Movie Festival. It has been sold to China and Denmark.
Several years later, Akiko directed "Kung Fu Date,” which won the Remi Award at the Houston Film Festival and "Sukiyaki with Love" (Semi-Finalist of NBCUniversal Shortcuts). Her action short film, “The Other Side” won The Best Short Film in Sacramento Asian Film Festival and ECA Award by ICG and had a screening sponsored by ICG at DGA.
She was a semi-finalist of NBC Female Forward (Top 20 out of 1000) in 2018, Sony Director's Program (Top 25 out of 250) in 2017, and ABC Director's Program in 2014. She was also considered to be an episodic director of AMC’s The Terror Season 2 by Scott Free. Akiko was selected as one of the top rising Asian American filmmakers in 2013.
She also helps to connect reputable production companies with a film financing company while works as a researcher for The Terror Season 2 Podcast.
Biography
Interview Articles
English:
http://filmmakersfans.com/filmmaker-interview-akiko-izumitani-explaining-her-filmmaking-techniques/
DirectedByWomen.com
http://directedbywomen.com/the-other-side-directed-by-akiko-izumitani/
http://www.rafu.com/2015/04/izumitani-short-the-other-side-screens-tonight-at-laapff/
http://www.japanconnection.us/ereader/?issue=2015-05&page=14
Narrative Films
The Other Side: Short Film
Story, Producer and Director
Winner of Emerging Cinematographer Award by International Cinematographers Guild (ICG)
CAAM (San Francisco Asian Film Festival)
Official Selection
Los Angeles Pacific Asian Film Festival
Official Selection
Sacramento Asian Film Festival
Winner of the Best Narrative Short Film
Winner of the Best Cinematography
Short Shorts and Asia (Oscar Qualified Film Festival)
Official Selection
HollyShorts Film Festival
Official Selection
Aruba Film Festival
Official Selection
Bali International Film Festival
Official Selection
Sukiyaki with Love: Short Film
Writer, Producer, Editor, and Director
NBC Universal Shortcuts
Semi Finalist
Emerging Filmmaker’s Forum
Official Selection
CAAM (San Francisco Asian Film Festival)
Official Selection
Kung Fu Date: Short Film
Writer, Producer, Editor, and Director
Houston International World-Fest
Winner – Gold Remi Award (Romantic Comedy)
Raindance Film Festival (UK) (Oscar qualified film festival)
Official Selection
San Diego Asian American Film Festival
Official Selection
Documentary
Silent Shame: Feature Documentary
Writer, Producer, Editor, and Director
Beijing International Movie Festival
Winner - Golden Duck Awards
Beijing International Film Festival
Official Selection
Action On Film International Film Festival
Winner – Best Political Statement Movie
First Runner Up – Best Documentary
End of the Pier International Film Festival
Winner - Best International Feature Film
Accolade Competition
Winner – Best of Show
San Gabriel International Film Festival
Winner – Best Feature Documentary
Myrtle Beach Film Festival
Official Selection
The Foyle Film Festival
Official Selection
Indie Spirits Film Festival
Official Selection
Commercial
Hotta Liesenberg Saito & Co - Director – Asahi Homecast
Megatronics - Director – Asahi Homecast
Asahi Ryokuken - Director – Asahi Homecast
NEX-USA - Director – Asahi Homecast
Network
Script Writers Group Santa Monica
Alliance of Women Directors