NISEI
Available now on YouTube
(2023) 21 min
Written & Directed by Darren Haruo Rae
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.
“Nisei" was listed in Variety's top 15 Shortlist Predictions for Best Live Action Short Film - 96th Academy Awards®
https://variety.com/2023/film/awards/final-academy-awards-shortlist-predictions-2024-1235843958/
Producer Contact: Jessica Olthof
Instagram: @niseithefilm
AWARDS
CINEQUEST FILM FESTIVAL
Academy Award® Qualifying Festival
WINNER - Grand Jury Prize for Best Drama Short
HIGHLAND PARK FILM FESTIVAL
WINNER - Best Short Film
POPPY JASPER INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
WINNER - Grand Jury Prize for Best Drama Short
WINNER - Audience Choice for Best Drama Short
EMERGING CINEMATOGRAPHER AWARDS The International Cinematographers Guild
2023 Honoree - Connor Van Bodell
MILAN FILM FESTIVAL
WINNER - Best Sound
WINNER - Best Cinematography
MATRIX FILM FESTIVAL
WINNER - Best Short Film
THOMAS EDISON FILM FESTIVAL
WINNER - Director's Choice Award
OFFICIAL SELECTIONS
Indy Shorts International Film Festival - Academy Award® Qualifying Festival
LA Shorts International Film Festival - Academy Award® Qualifying Festival
Newport Beach Film Fest
Naples International Film Festival
HollyShorts Film Festival - Academy Award® Qualifying Festival
Cinequest International Film Festival - Academy Award® Qualifying Festival
Catalina Film Festival
Poppy Jasper International Film Festival
Milan Shorts Film Festival
Silicon Valley Asian Pacific FilmFest
Highland Park Film Festival
New York Japan Cinefest
Sante Fe Film Festival
Dam Short Film Festival
Thomas Edison Film Festival
Beloit International Film Festival
Wyoming International Film Festival
Omaha Film Festival
Philadelphia Independent Film Festival
Beaufort International Film Festival
Cinema On The Bayou Film Festival
Lighthouse International Film Festival
Matrix Film Festival
Utah Film Festival
Manhattan Film Festival
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
