Yoko Okumura

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

Yoko Okumura
Born (1987-12-09) December 9, 1987
Kyoto, Japan[1]
Occupation(s)Director, Writer, Filmmaker
Years active2005-present
Notable workThe Bold Type, Good Trouble, Unseen

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
Year Title Role Notes
2023 Unseen Director [10]

Television
Year Title Role Notes
2020 50 States of Fright Director "America's Largest Ball of Twine (Kansas)"[11]
2021 The Bold Type Director 2 episodes[6]
2021-2022 Good Trouble Director 2 episodes[6]

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. "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.
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