Hiroyuki Oki

Hiroyuki Oki, born in Tokyo in 1964, is a distinguished filmmaker and artist whose career began after he graduated from the Architectural Department of the Faculty of Engineering at Tokyo University in 1988. His passion for cinema led him to study film production at the Image Forum Institute of the Moving Image, where he garnered attention for his thesis film, a three-hour piece titled "The Film of Buddy Matsumae" ("Matsumae-kun no eiga") in 1989.

Oki's breakthrough came with his acclaimed film "Swimming Prohibited," which earned the Special Juror's Prize at the 1990 Image Forum Festival. In 1991, he relocated to Kochi City, where he continued to create impactful works. The following year, he directed "Tarch Trip" ("Tachi torippu"), produced by Jurgen Brunning. His first 35mm fiction film, "I Like You, I Like You Very Much," debuted in 1994, showcasing his unique storytelling style.

Oki's 1996 film "Heaven-6-Box," produced in collaboration with the Kochi Museum of Art, was recognized with the NETPAC Prize at the 1995 Berlin International Film Festival, solidifying his place in the global film landscape. More recently, he has embraced a multi-disciplinary approach by performing live music during screenings of his films, further enriching the audience's experience. For more information about his work, visit www.yidff.jp.