Katsuhide Motoki

[Director and Senior managing director, Directors Guild of Japan] Born in 1963, Toyama. After graduating from Waseda University School of Political Science and Economics, he joins Shochiku as assistant director. He apprentices to Azuma Morisaki, Keisuke Kinoshita and Hiroshi Teshigahara, studies in the US, and works as producer, to then debut as director in 1998 with “A Happy-Go-Lucky Trading Co.”. Works include the “Free & Easy” series 11-13 (’00-’02), “Kitaro” (’07), “10 Promises To My Dog” (’08), “Kamogawa Horumo-Battle League in Kyoto” (’09), “Welcome Home, Hayabusa” (’12), and “It All Began When I Met You” (’13). With “Samurai Hustle” (’14), he was awarded the Blue Ribbon Award for Best Film, and under Director of the Year at the 38th Japan Academy Film Prize. “Recall” (’18) was awarded under Director of the Year at the 42nd Japan Academy Film Prize. With “Iwane: Sword of Serenity” (’19), he made a challenge at the orthodox jidaigeki at Shochiku Kyoto. “Dai Kome Sodo” is in line for release.