Chris Tashima received an Academy Award in 1998 for Live Action Short Film, Visas and Virtue, a 26-minute historical drama inspired by Holocaust rescuer Chiune 'Sempo' Sugihara, which he directed, co-wrote, and starred in as the Humanitarian diplomat.
As a follow-up, Tashima directed, co-wrote, and acted in Day of Independence, a half-hour drama that received an Emmy nomination and was officially selected to over sixty international film festivals, garnering twenty-five awards.
Tashima studied film production at UC Santa Cruz and Visual Communications, an Asian Pacific American media arts organization in his hometown of Los Angeles.
As an actor, Tashima has starred in numerous independent films over the past 35-plus years, including Americanese, Go for Broke, and Real Playing Game.
Tashima has also had a successful career in theatre, with notable roles in productions such as A "Language of Their Own," "Dragonwings," and "Visas and Virtue."
In addition to his work in film and theatre, Tashima has directed for the stage, including the world premieres of "Be Like Water" and "Nihonmachi: The Place to Be."
Tashima has received numerous honors and awards for his work, including the Japanese American of the Biennium award, an Unsung Heroes Award, and a Community Award.
He is a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the Directors Guild of America, SAG-AFTRA, Actors' Equity Association, and the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society.
Tashima is active on X and Instagram, where he can be followed at @christashima.
