Yoko Okumura

Last updated
Yoko Okumura
Born (1987-12-09) December 9, 1987 (age 37)
Occupation(s)Director, Writer, Filmmaker
Years active2005-present
Notable work The Bold Type , Good Trouble , Unseen

Yoko Okumura is a Japanese-American film director, writer and producer. She is best known for directing the horror film Unseen (2023).

Contents

Biography

Okumura was born in a Buddhist temple in Japan, and was raised in Minneapolis, Minnesota. [2]

She attended both CalArts and American Film Institute, whilst at the latter, her student short film, "Kimi Kabuki" won multiple awards, including a DGA Student Film Award and got her an agent and manager. [3] [4]

Yoko is the daughter of Soto Zen priest Shohaku Okumura. [5]

Career

Okumura began her filmmaking career directing episodes for the television series 50 States of Fright , The Bold Type and Good Trouble . [6]

She made her feature film directorial debut with the 2023 horror film Unseen , starring Midori Francis, Jolene Purdy and Missi Pyle. The film was released on March 7, 2023 by Blumhouse Television, Paramount Home Entertainment and MGM+. [7] [8] [9]

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
2023 Unseen Director [10]

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
2020 50 States of Fright Director"America's Largest Ball of Twine (Kansas)" [11]
2021 The Bold Type Director2 episodes [6]
2021-2022 Good Trouble Director2 episodes [6]

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References

  1. Hewitt, Chris. "From Twin Cities to Hollywood, a horror director makes her debut" . Retrieved 9 March 2023.
  2. "How 'Unseen' Director Cast Against the Hollywood Grain". 2 March 2023.
  3. "Sundance Collab". Yoko Okumura. Retrieved 7 March 2023.
  4. "Warner Bros. Discovery Access". Warner Bros. Discovery Access. Retrieved 2024-06-25.
  5. Buder, Emily. "A Buddhist Monk and His Son Find Purpose and Meaning in Life - The Atlantic". www.theatlantic.com. Retrieved 2024-01-23.
  6. 1 2 3 "The BEST episodes directed by Yoko Okumura". Episode Ninja. Retrieved 7 March 2023.
  7. Del Rosario, Alexandra (20 January 2022). "Epix & Blumhouse Casts Jolene Purdy & Midori Francis For TV Movie Thriller 'Unseen'; Yoko Okumura To Direct". Deadline.
  8. "Yoko Okumura makes her feature film directorial debut with 'Unseen'". Fandomize. 7 March 2023. Retrieved 7 March 2023.
  9. Hullender, Tatiana (28 February 2023). "Jolene Purdy Desperately Wants To Save Midori Francis In Unseen [EXCLUSIVE CLIP]". Screen Rant. Retrieved 7 March 2023.
  10. "Epix & Blumhouse Casts Jolene Purdy & Midori Francis for TV Movie Thriller 'Unseen'; Yoko Okumura to Direct". 20 January 2022.
  11. "More "50 States of Fright" Filmmakers and Stories Revealed". 14 April 2020.