Neo Sora
American director (born 1991)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Neo Sora (Japanese: 空 音央, Hepburn: Sora Neo; born 1991) is an American film director and screenwriter. He has directed the documentary feature film Ryuichi Sakamoto: Opus (2023) and the narrative feature film Happyend (2024).
- Ryuichi Sakamoto (father)
Neo Sora | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1991[1] |
| Occupations | Director, screenwriter |
| Years active | 2010–present |
| Relatives |
|
Early life
Sora was born to film composer Ryuichi Sakamoto and Norika Sora, Sakamoto's long-time manager, in New York, New York, and was raised in both New York and Tokyo.[2][3] Sora graduated from Wesleyan University in Philosophy and Film Studies.[4]
Career
Sora is a member of the filmmaking collective Zakkubalan alongside Albert Tholen and Aiko Masubuchi.[5] Sora has directed music videos for Shuta Hasunuma & U-zhaan, BIGYUKI, Rachika S and Biki Zoom, Anthony Naples, Beta Librae, Jason Moran and Dairo Suga.[6]
In 2020, Sora directed the narrative short film The Chicken which had its world premiere at the 73rd Locarno Film Festival.[7][8] It also screened at the 2020 New York Film Festival and the AFI Fest.[9][10]
In 2022, Sora directed the narrative short film Sugar Glass Bottle, which premiered at the Hamptons International Film Festival.[11]
In 2023, Sora directed the documentary Ryuichi Sakamoto: Opus revolving around the last concert performed by his father, Ryuichi Sakamoto, which had its world premiere at the 80th Venice Film Festival.[12] The film was released in March 2024 by Janus Films.[13][14]
In 2024, Sora wrote and directed Happyend which had its world premiere at the 81st Venice International Film Festival in the Orizzonti section.[15] It also made its North American premiere at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival and screened in the Main Slate of the 62nd New York Film Festival.[16][17] It was previously selected for the 2022 Sundance Institute Screenwriting and Directing labs.[18] In 2025, he was given the 2024 Directors Guild of Japan New Directors Award for Happyend.[19]
In 2025, Sora wrote and directed the short film A Very Straight Neck starring Sakura Ando, which will have its world premiere at the 78th Locarno Film Festival.[20]
Filmography
Feature film
| Year | Title | Director | Producer | Writer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Happyend | Yes | No | Yes |
Documentary film
| Year | Title | Director | Writer | Producer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Ryuichi Sakamoto: Opus | Yes | No | No |
Short film
| Year | Title | Director | Writer | Producer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | The Chicken | Yes | Yes | No |
| 2022 | Sugar Glass Bottle | Yes | Yes | No |
| 2025 | A Very Straight Neck | Yes | Yes | No |