NISEI
Trailer
(2023) 21 min
Written & Directed by Darren Haruo Rae
Began festival release in April 2023.
Inspired by stories from the director's grandfather, 'Nisei' follows the journey of two Japanese-American brothers during World War II, Minoru and John Miyasaki. Stripped of their citizenship and placed in internment camps, they volunteer for the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, an all Japanese-American unit that sacrificed everything, to prove their loyalty to a country that doesn’t want them. Torn between country and family, they must face the enemy overseas along with adversity back home.
AWARDS & OFFICIAL SELECTIONS
CINEQUEST FILM FESTIVAL
Academy Award® Qualifying Festival
WINNER - Grand Jury Prize for Best Drama Short
LA SHORTS INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
Academy Award® Qualifying Festival
Official Selection
POPPY JASPER INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
WINNER - Grand Jury Prize for Best Drama Short
WINNER - Audience Choice for Best Drama Short
HOLLYSHORTS FILM FESTIVAL
Academy Award® Qualifying Festival
Official Selection
INDY SHORTS INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
Academy Award® Qualifying Festival
Official Selection
CATALINA FILM FESTIVAL
Official Selection
SILICON VALLEY ASIAN PACIFIC FILMFEST
Official Selection
NEWPORT BEACH FILM FESTIVAL
Official Selection
HIGHLAND PARK FILM FESTIVAL
Official Selection
A Roann Films production in association with Spartan Film Studios
Written & Directed by Darren Haruo Rae
Produced by Jessica Olthof & Nick Martinez
Executive Producer Barnaby Dallas
Cast Jonathan Tanigaki, Brent Yoshida, Shiro Kawai, Jabez Armodia, Alfred Hsing, Jason Jia, Jason Loy
Mila Schelter, Hudson Naruo, Matt McTighe, Darin Cooper, Matt Kaufman
Director of Photography Connor Van Bodell
Production Design Andrea Bechert, John York
Editor Caleb Wheeler
Costume Design Rachel Dagdagan
Original Score Yuchiro "Sixtwo" Oku
Sound Designer Nick Bozzone
