“I want to become a movie director.”
That was my dream when I was in elementary school.
When I was a child, there was no caption on TV programs,
so I couldn’t enjoy watching TV with my family.
Onetime my father saw me looking sad, so he rented a foreign movie with subtitles from the video rental shop.
The first movie I saw was “E.T.”
I was deeply touched by the story of the friendship between an alien and a boy.
Since then, I have had the dream of making films which give energy and courage to many people.
When I was 19 years old, I flew to the USA and studied film making.
From the age of 20, I began filming, and in the seventeen years since then I have been able to make twenty seven films.
This film-making journey hasn't been all good times, but in times of difficulty,
it was the thought of "making films" that has sustained me.
With the help of family and friends and staff, and the support of many others,
I have been able to continue making films, and I am filled with gratitude to all those who have assisted me.
In an effort to repay their kindness and support,
I will try to continue to make good films, and I ask for your continued support in the future.
Ayako Imamura
Born: Nagoya, Japan
President of Studio AYA
Graduated from: Toyohashi school for the deaf
Graduated from: Aichi University of Education
Studied: the Film Industry, American Sign Language and Deaf Culture at California State University, Northridge while attending Aichi University.
Presently: Teaching Sign Language at Aichi Gakuin University, and making documentary movies, not only in Japan, but also filming in the USA, Canada, and Korea. Currently showing her movies and giving lectures all over Japan.
“Coffee and Pencil” Official Website
http://studioaya-movie.com/coffee-to-enpitsu/documentary_film/
“The Connecting Bridge” Official Website
http://studioaya-movie.com/kakehashi/english
“Start Line”
http://studioaya-movie.com/startline/english