Originally from Osaka Japan, HIKARI, also known as Mitsuyo Miyazaki, is an award-winning writer, director and producer. HIKARI’s debut short film “Tsuyako” (Drama, 2011) visited over 100 film festivals worldwide receiving 50 awards including DGA Student Award for the Best Female Filmmaker, Future Filmmakers Award and Audience Award at Palm Springs International Shortfest and Grand Jury Prizes at Oscar qualified film festivals.
In 2013, HIKARI was chosen as one of the 5 directors to create a short film for the first annual Lexus Short Films, produced by The Weinstein Company. HIKARI’s live action/animated short film “A Better Tomorrow” (Fantasy Adventure, 2013) premiered at Festival de Cannes, special screening presented by TWC and Lexus International. HIKARI’s latest dance short film “Where We Begin” (Drama, 2015) premiere at Tribeca Film Festival, and received 8 awards at festivals around the United States.
Most recently, HIKARI was chosen to participate at Sundance Institute/NHK Screenwriting Workshop in Tokyo with her feature script Cantering. She also has become a fellow for Film Independent’s Screenwriting Lab as well as Project Involve for their directing track. Cantering is also a finalist for the 2017 Sundance Screenwriting Lab. HIKARI’s other credits include Subaru’s Dramatic Cinema Series, commercials and short films that features Subaru’s old to the latest models, a mobile content short film “Can & Sulochan” (Comedy, 2014).
HIKARI holds an MFA in Film and TV production from USC School of Cinematic Arts. She believes in the power of visual communication to transform society and impact the minds of the people.