kageboshi

In the outskirts of 1930’s Seattle, ANJU (12), a Japanese American girl who is serious at her young age, and her father, KAKUZO (35), try to escape from their house haunted by Kageboshi, a child demon who jumps between and eats human shadows. Inspired by Japanese lore, Kageboshi tells a fast-paced, frightening tale of a Japanese-American father and daughter evading Kageboshi, who forces them to play a deadly game of shadow tag. While the film’s subject is shocking, its playfulness and ingenuity will be a stark contrast to the emotional elements of the story, as the leads grapple with desperation and loss while facing this embodiment of evil.

Directed by Ken Ochiai
Produced by Adam Valeiras, Ken Ochiai
Written by Ken Ochiai, Adam Valeiras

Director’s Bio: Ken Ochiai made his first film at age 12, running around the streets of Tokyo with little knowledge, but a lot of passion. Ochiai graduated from USC with a BA in film production and received his MFA from AFI in directing. To date, Ochiai has wrote and directed five theatrical feature films and more than 30 short films, commercials, and music videos and won numerous awards including the Special Jury Prize from the Directors Guild of America, the Governor of Tokyo, Minister Award from Japan, and the Grand Remi Award at the Houston International Film Festival. His second feature film, UZUMASA LIMELIGHT, was released in North America, and was shortlisted for the Golden Globes. The film won many accolades including the Chevel Noir (Best Picture) and Best Actor at the Fantasia International Film Festival, the Crystal Heart Award at the Heartland Film Festival. His 5th feature film, DADDY ISSUES was released in Vietnam, beating out AQUAMAN for the #1 spot at the Box Office and became the 3rd biggest hit in Vietnam in 2019.

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