Kana Hatakeyama is a Japanese + American filmmaker and actor based in New York. Her award-winning short film okaasan (mom), which she wrote, directed, produced, and acted, can be viewed online on Directors Notes and NoBudge. It was screened at the Dallas International Film Festival (Special Jury Award), New Orleans Film Festival (Audience Award), Nitehawk Shorts Festival (Audience Award, First Time Filmmaker Award), Nantucket Film Festival, Brooklyn Film Festival, and more.
Her most recent film FITNESS! or a story about SWEAT is now on its festival run. It has screened at Brooklyn Film Festival, DC Shorts Festival, Cucalorus Film Festival, and can be currently seen at MoMA Film.
As an actor, she can be seen in Orange is the New Black, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, Bull, and more. Kana is a graduate of Duke University.
Kana will work with students in Advanced Acting and speak with students enrolled in History of Acting.
Kana Hatakeyama and Ito Aghayere will take part in a Q&A on November 17 from 5:00-6:00pm in the Rubenstein Arts Center Theater.
Theater Studies