Hirokazu Kore-eda is a Japanese film director, screen-writer, editor, and producer, best-known for directing films like ‘Like Father, Like Son’, ‘Still Walking’ and ‘Shoplifters’. Hirokazu initially wanted to become a novelist and studied literature at Waseda University. He however turned his focus on films following graduation and commenced career in showbiz as assistant director of independent Japanese television company TV MAN UNION, INC. He worked on several television documentaries as assistant director before directing his first TV documentary ‘Lessons from a Calf’. He made his debut as feature film director with the Japanese drama ‘Maborosi’. In the ensuing years, he bolstered his career with other acclaimed and award-winning films, many of which were humanistic dramas themed on parents and children. Some of his notable films are ‘After Life’ that won Best Film and Best Screenplay award at Buenos Aires International Festival of Independent Cinema; ‘Nobody Knows’ that won Best Film and Best Director award at the Blue Ribbon Awards; ‘Still Walking’ that bagged Best Director award at the Asian Film Awards; ‘Like Father, Like Son’ that fetched Jury Prize at the Cannes Film Festival; and ‘Shoplifters’ that earned the Palme d'Or at Cannes Film Festival and an Oscar nomination.
