Isamu Hirabayashi

filmmaker

Tokyo, JP

short film experimental film commercial animation live-action
About

Born in 1972, I graduated from Musashino Art University in Tokyo, Japan. After working as a graphic designer, I became a video director. While mainly directing commercial movies, I started to create independent short films that later had been acclaimed internationally, at film festivals such as: Cannes Directors' Fortnight, Venice International Film Festival, Berlin International Film Festival, Locarno International Film Festival and Sundance Film Festival.

I have received the Special Mention Award for “663114” at the Berlin International Film Festival, Special Mention Award for “Babin” at the Locarno International Film Festival and received the Noburo Ofuji Award, the most prestigious award for animation in Japan.

I have created a total of 20 short films as of 2020, varying from live-action adaptation to animation and experimental genres. “Shimajiro’s Wow!” an educational program for children, which I have been working as a general director since 2012, was nominated for the International Emmy Awards as well as at the Banff World Media Festival.

I finally completed the first feature film "SHELL and JOINT" in 2019. It was selected at the Rotterdam International Film Festival and Slamdance Film Festival and more.

Films

Shell and Joint

DIRECTOR

663114

DIRECTOR

Mountain

DIRECTOR

Ninja & Soldier

DIRECTOR

Heaven

DIRECTOR