Isshin Inudo Film Director/CM Director Born in 1960, Inudo began making his own films in high school. Upon graduating, he became a director of commercials, and received multiple advertising awards. He won the Directors Guild of Japan New Directors Award for his first feature, "Two People Talking." In 1998, he wrote the script for "Osaka Story" directed by Jun Ichikawa.
His works include "Josee, the Tiger and the Fish"(03) , "La Maison de Himiko"(05), "Goo Goo, the Cat"(08) , "BIZAN"(07), "Zero Focus"(09), and he received the Best Director and Best Film at the Japan Academy Awards for "THE FLOATING CASTLE"(12). In August 2018, "Samurai Shifters" was released in theaters, followed by "Saikonojinsei" in Autumn 2019.

Sayaka Kai Film Director While attending Women's Art University, Kai co-directed "BORDER LINE"(00) and "pellet"(91) which received high recognition nationally and internationally. Since then, she has worked on a number of short films, TV commercials and music videos. Her short film "Inherited Things" was selected for Changwon Asia Art Festival. ”Ondine's Curse" won the Honorable Award at SKIP City International D-Cinema Film Festival 2015, and also screened at Maison de Culture du Japon in Paris. Her first directed and written feature "Red Snow"(19) has been released theatrically, and she is also writing a novel under the same title from KADOKAWA.

Takuma Takasaki Executive Creative Director, Dentsu Inc. Takasaki has been active in various areas with a focus on advertising. His works include East Japan Railway Company's 'Go to Tohoku', SUNTORY's 'Orangina', 'ALL-FREE', TOYOTA and so on. He has been named the prestigious Creative Person of the Year by the Japan Advertising Agencies Association twice in 2010 and 2013. He has been involved in film and TV dramas including "Honokaa Boy" which he wrote the script for. He is also the author of mutlple books, and also writes essays reguraly for magazines.

Akira Nagai Film Director Born in 1970 in Tokyo, Nagai joind AOI Pro after graduating from Musashino Art University. He has worked on a number of commercials as a director. In 2012 and 2013, he received the Director Award at ACC CM Festival. In 2005, he directed his first short film "Inunoeiga" and then made his feature debut with "Judge!"(14).
He currently directs "If Cats Disappeared from the World"(16), "TEIICHI -Battle of Supreme High-"(17) and "After the Rain"(18).

Makoto Nagahisa Film Director Born in Tokyo, Makoto Nagahisa directed films and music videos while working as a commercial planner at a major ad agency. Nagahisa wrote and directed the short film “And So We Put Goldfish in the Pool.” (2017) and was the first Japanese director to win the Short Film Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival.

“WE ARE LITTLE ZOMBIES” (2019) is his first feature-length film, which won the World Cinema Dramatic Special Jury Award for Originality at Sundance Film Festival and the Youth Jury’s Special Mention at Berlin International Film Festival.

Morihiko Hasebe Executive Creative Director, Hakuhodo Inc. After graduating from Gakushuin University in 1986, Hasebe began working for Hakuhodo Inc. as copywriter and commercial planner. As Creative Director, he has created worldwide promotional campaigns and has served on the jury for Cannes Lions, Spikes Asia, AdFest, One Show, D&AD, Dubai Lynx, and AD STARS. He directed his first theatrical film in 2014 which won awards at festivals around the world including the Canada International Film Festival.

Akihiro Fukube Creative Director/Copywriter Born in 1976, Fukube joined Hakuhodo Inc. in 1998 and established catch Co. Ltd. in 2013. He has received multiple awards including TCC, ACC, ADC and a Dentsu Advertising Award. His works include commercials for Calorie Mate, MATCH, Nisshin's Donbei, KIRIN Green Label, KIRIN The Strong, Kracie's HIMAWARI, FamilyMart, QUO Card and so on. He has also won an award for his work on a picture book.

Ū-ki Yamato Film Director Yamato made her debut with "Anokoga Umibede Odotteru". In 2016, she directed her second feature "Drowning Love", which was released nationwide and received exceptional reviews. She also directed music videos for RADWIMPS, Nogizaka 46, Little Glee Monster, DAOKO etc., along with branded movies for clients. In 2018, she planned and produced the omnibus "The 21st century girl". In 2019, her film "Hotgimmick" is expected for release.