Yoko Okumura Explained

Yoko Okumura
Birth Date:	9 December 1987
Birth Place:	Kyoto, Japan^[1]
Occupation:	Director, Writer, Filmmaker
Years Active:	2005-present
Notable Works:	The Bold Type, Good Trouble, Unseen

Yoko Okumura is a Japanese-American film director, writer and producer. She is best known for directing the horror film Unseen (2023).

Biography

Okumura was born in a Buddhist temple in Japan, and was raised in Minneapolis, Minnesota.^[2]

She attended both CalArts and American Film Institute, whilst at the latter, her student short film, "Kimi Kabuki" won multiple awards, including a DGA Student Film Award and got her an agent and manager.^{[3] [4]}

Yoko is the daughter of Soto Zen priest Shohaku Okumura. ^[5]

Career

Okumura began her filmmaking career directing episodes for the television series 50 States of Fright, The Bold Type and Good Trouble.^[6]

She made her feature film directorial debut with the 2023 horror film Unseen, starring Midori Francis, Jolene Purdy and Missi Pyle. The film was released on March 7, 2023 by Blumhouse Television, Paramount Home Entertainment and MGM+.^{[7] [8] [9]}

Filmography

Television

Year	Title	Role	Notes
2020	50 States of Fright	Director	"America's Largest Ball of Twine (Kansas)"^[11]
2021	The Bold Type	Director	2 episodes
2021-2022	Good Trouble	Director	2 episodes

Notes and References

1. Web site: Hewitt . Chris . From Twin Cities to Hollywood, a horror director makes her debut . 9 March 2023.
2. Web site: How 'Unseen' Director Cast Against the Hollywood Grain . 2 March 2023 .
3. Web site: Sundance Collab . Yoko Okumura . 7 March 2023.
4. Web site: Warner Bros. Discovery Access . 2024-06-25 . Warner Bros. Discovery Access . en.
5. Web site: Buder . Emily . A Buddhist Monk and His Son Find Purpose and Meaning in Life - The Atlantic . 2024-01-23 . www.theatlantic.com . en.
6. Web site: The BEST episodes directed by Yoko Okumura . Episode Ninja . 7 March 2023.
7. Web site: Del Rosario . Alexandra . Epix & Blumhouse Casts Jolene Purdy & Midori Francis For TV Movie Thriller 'Unseen'; Yoko Okumura To Direct . Deadline. 20 January 2022 .
8. Web site: Yoko Okumura makes her feature film directorial debut with 'Unseen' . Fandomize . 7 March 2023 . 7 March 2023.
9. Web site: Hullender . Tatiana . Jolene Purdy Desperately Wants To Save Midori Francis In Unseen [EXCLUSIVE CLIP] ]. Screen Rant . 28 February 2023 . 7 March 2023.
10. Web site: Epix & Blumhouse Casts Jolene Purdy & Midori Francis for TV Movie Thriller 'Unseen'; Yoko Okumura to Direct . 20 January 2022 .
11. Web site: More "50 States of Fright" Filmmakers and Stories Revealed . 14 April 2020 .