In 1982 Okazaki directed the PBS documentary "Survivors", the first English-language film in which survivors of Hiroshima told what happened the day the bomb was dropped. In 1985 he was nominated for an Academy Award for UNFINISHED BUSINESS, also produced for PBS, which relates the story of three Japanese Americans who challenged the incarceration of their people. Studs Terkel described it as "a deeply moving film, a powerful warning that hysteria, bigotry, ignorance and moral cowardice demean us all."
In 1991, he won an Academy Award for DAYS OF WAITING, which tells the story of artist Estelle Ishigo, one of the few Caucasians to be interned with the Japanese Americans during World War II. In 1992, he produced the PBS documentary TROUBLED PARADISE, which looks at the efforts of native Hawaiians to reclaim and preserve their heritage. In 1993, he made HUNTING TIGERS, a whimsical look at Tokyo pop culture, featuring Nobel Prize-winning novelist Kenzaburo Oe. In 1994, he made AMERICAN SONS, which examines how the lives of Asian American men are shaped by racism.
From 1994 to 1996, he developed and produced high-definition television documentaries for NHK Hi-Vision, including: ALONE TOGETHER, about young adults living with HIV, and LIFE WAS GOOD, about a Mormon family living next to the Nevada Test Site. Both were recipients of UNESCO Awards. In 1999, he completed BLACK TAR HEROIN: THE DARK END OF THE STREET for Home Box Office Television, an extraordinary chronicle of two years in the lives five young heroin addicts in San Francisco.
Okazaki also directed two independent features: LIVING ON TOKYO TIME (1987), a comedy about a Japanese dishwasher distributed nationwide by Skouras Pictures and THE LISA THEORY (1994), a comedy about the romantic troubles of the members of a San Francisco punk rock band. His most recent film is the 86-minute documentary WHITE LIGHT/BLACK RAIN: THE DESTRUCTION OF HIROSHIMA AND NAGASAKI (2007). Okazaki has also directed award-winning children's films and documentary shorts. Segments from his works have been featured on "The CBS Evening News," "The NBC Nightly News," ABC News "Nightline," and CNN.
Born in Venice, CA, Okazaki graduated from San Francisco State University in 1976. He lives in Berkeley, CA with his wife, writer Peggy Orenstein.
Nominated for Documentary (Features) 1985: UNFINISHED BUSINESS - Producer
Best Achievement in Documentary Short Subjects 1990: DAYS OF WAITING - Producer
Nominated for Achievement in Documentary Short Subjects 2005: THE MUSHROOM CLUB - Producer
3 nominations, 1 Award