Yoko Okumura is a multifaceted creative force, defying genre conventions as a writer, director, and performer. Born within the sacred walls of a Buddhist temple in Japan, she later found herself immersed in the frigid climate of Minneapolis, only to eventually make her mark in the vibrant city of Los Angeles.
With a passion for telling unconventional stories from underrepresented perspectives, Yoko excels at the intersection of grit and glamour, crafting narratives that are both rebellious and captivating.
Her impressive resume boasts a diverse range of projects, including a sold story pitch to Sam Raimi's Quibi horror anthology "50 States of Fright," where she will direct the episode "America's Largest Ball of Twine" alongside Ming-Na Wen and Karen Allen. Her directing clients have included Lifetime/A&E's scripted digital series Fall Into Me, Super Deluxe's Turnt Beauty series, and Uproxxx Uncharted series, while her branded clients have included Cover Girl, Honda, and Instagram.
Yoko's feature film project, The Religion of Girlfriends, was accepted into the WIF/Sundance Institute Financing Intensive, a testament to her dedication and talent. Her short film, Kimi Kabuki, has received numerous accolades, including the DGA Student Film Award, the Panavision New Filmmakers Award, and an Austin Film Festival Jury Award.
As co-creator of the digital series Facets, a documentary episodic that highlights trailblazing women who have carved unique life paths for themselves, Yoko's work has been selected for the Vimeo Staff Pick three times.
Yoko's academic background is equally impressive, having earned a BFA in Film/Video from Calarts and an MFA in Film Directing from the American Film Institute.
When not working on her latest creative endeavor, Yoko can be found exploring her passion for fire dancing, aerial arts, and even attempting to master the elusive back flip.
