is a Japanese film director.
Career While a senior at Aoyama Gakuin University, Okuyama wrote, directed, and served as cinematographer and editor on the feature film Jesus, which depicts Jesus Christ as the imaginary friend of a grade schooler. The film debuted at the 2018 San Sebastián International Film Festival, where Okuyama was recognized with the Kutxabank-New Directors Award.
In reviews for Jesus, critics noted the influence of Hirokazu Kore-eda on Okuyama's filmmaking. Okuyama would later collaborate with Kore-eda by directing episodes of the latter's Netflix series The Makanai: Cooking for the Maiko House.
Okuyama's second feature film, My Sunshine premiered in the Un Certain Regard portion of the 2024 Cannes Film Festival. The film follows the personal lives of ice skaters throughout the winter season.
Filmography Film Year Title Notes Ref. 2018 Jesus 2024 My Sunshine
Television Year Title Notes Ref. 2023 The Makanai: Cooking for the Maiko House Directed episodes alongside Hirokazu Kore-eda, Megumi Tsuno, and Takuma Sato 2024 Yuming Stories: "Spring Comes"
Music video Year Title Notes Ref. 2019 AI Hibari Misora - Arekara (あれから) Director, cinematographer, editing 2020 Nana Mori - Smile Director, cinematographer, editing 2020 Kenshi Yonezu - Canary Cinematographer 2021 Nogizaka46 - Boku wa Boku o Suki ni Naru Director 2021 Gen Hoshino - Create Cinematographer 2023 Kenshi Yonezu - Spinning Globe Director, cinematographer, editing 2025 Humbert Humbert - In the Dark Director, cinematographer, editing 2025 Kenshi Yonezu - Bow and Arrow Cinematographer
Awards and nominations Year Award Category Nominated work Result Ref. 2018 San Sebastián International Film Festival Kutxabank-New Directors Award Jesus International Film Festival & Awards Macao Best Film Stockholm International Film Festival Best Film Best Cinematography 2019 Dublin International Film Festival Dublin Film Critics Circle Award for Best Cinematography 2024 Cannes Film Festival Un Certain Regard My Sunshine Queer Palm
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