Ken Ochiai

Ken Ochiai made his first film at age 12. Immediately following his high school graduation, he left his hometown of Tokyo, Japan, to pursue his dream of becoming a film director in the United States. To date, Ochiai has directed 3 theatrical features, and over 30 short films, commercials, and music videos. His first feature film, “Tiger Mask” (based on a legendary Japanese comic book series), was released in the fall of 2013 in several Asian countries. His second feature film, “Uzumasa Limelight,” was released in 2014. It won the Chevel Noir (Best Picture) and for Best Actor at the Fantasia International Film Festival, the Crystal Heart Award at the Heartland Film Festival, two audience awards at the New York Asian Film Festival, and Camera Japan in Holland. He was honored with the title of New American Filmmaker at the Hawaii International Film Festival, and received the Young Alumni Award from the USC Asian Pacific AlumniAssociation in recognition of his achievements in filmmaking. His latest film, “Saigon Bodyguards” was released in Vietnam in 2016 and beat “Rogue One” in the first week and became the 4th biggest movie of the year.