NIKON

Nikon Film and Photo Contest
2024-2025 Judges

Short Film Competition Judges

Yuske Fukada
(Yusuke Fukada)

Director, Producer, Writer
Japan

As a passionate supporter of new voices, I am honored to serve as a Nikon judge, eager to discover the shout and scream of today’s reality—visible or invisible—waiting to emerge as a reflection of you that is deeply resonant within us all. I appreciate skillfully crafted stories, but I also hope to encounter realities that are messy, muddy, and confused—yet undoubtedly true. These works connect us, opening doors we had long forgotten due to keys missing or lost, portals we didn’t know existed, these places leading us to where we belong. I hope you embrace your individuality, take risks by immersing yourself in chance and randomness, and let your voice come out. It is through boldness and vulnerability that we create stories capable of transforming us all.

Biography

Yuske Fukada, born in Uzumasa, Kyoto, is a filmmaker recognized for his work as a director, producer, writer, and sound designer. His storytelling focuses on marginalized identities, brought to life through diverse formats such as feature length and short films, documentaries, and animation. His work seamlessly integrates cutting-edge technology and cross-cultural narratives and has been showcased worldwide; notable projects Tokyo Override and Perfect World delve into complex cultural and social themes that blend worldbuilding innovations with moving narratives. As an Asian, Japanese filmmaker with experience in France, Denmark, and the United States, Fukada brings a unique ability to navigate between cultures, allowing him to approach storytelling with a rooted sensitivity and the flexibility of a global citizen. Fukada holds an MFA from USC and a PhD from Kyoto University, where he explored creativity in a data-driven world through the Japanese concept of Guzen—chance, accident, and fate—as a vital element in the creative process.

* Comments from the judges are from their own views and opinions and do not necessarily
reflect the views and opinions of the organizer.
All Judges