Cannes Young Director Award winner Hoku Uchiyama is a passionate enthusiast of fantasy films, horror, and animation. His impressive body of directing work has garnered tens of millions of online views, earning him widespread recognition and acclaim. His films have been showcased in prestigious festivals across the United States, Europe, and Asia, solidifying his reputation as a talented and innovative director.
Notably, Hoku's work has been featured in esteemed institutions such as the LA County Museum of Art and the Modern Art museum Centre Pompidou of Paris, further cementing his status as a respected figure in the industry.
One of Hoku's most notable achievements is his award-winning music video for Jason Webley and Amanda Palmer's "Have You Seen My Sister Evelyn?". This groundbreaking project showcased his unique style and set the stage for his future collaborations with his frequent directing partner, Adam Bolt, under the moniker "Hoku & Adam".
As Hoku & Adam, they have established themselves as masters of crafting high-energy, fun, and technically impressive commercials for prominent clients such as Starbucks, Google, Lenovo, and FedEx. Their impressive portfolio also includes award-winning spots for National Geographic, Wilkinson Sword (where they creatively animated facial hair),and YouTube (where they utilized 18 distinct animation styles in a single film).
In 2020, their music video for Katy Perry's "Harleys in Hawai'i" won the prestigious Webby People's Voice Award for Best Music Video, further solidifying their reputation as a talented and innovative directing duo.
Beyond his commercial success, Hoku has also ventured into documentary filmmaking, directing the 2014 documentary "Upaj: Improvise", which was broadcast nationally in the US on PBS World.
