Justin Izumi, originally a native from Hamburg, is currently based in bustling Berlin. He worked as a motion graphic designer for several television channels before graduating at the Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg with a degree in movie & TV design. He received several awards for his work at MTV as a Art Director for VIVA & MTV. Justin started working as a freelance director and art director in 2012. Since then, he has become a renowned music video director with strong roots in art direction and has convinced well known brands with his fresh and vibrant style for advertising projects.

Where did you grow up and what kind of kid were you?

I was born in Hamburg but we moved to a small town in Schleswig-Holstein when I was about four years old. Almost all my memories start there. We moved a couple of times, but we always had a house near a forest with a big garden. Growing up half Asian/Canadian (half German) in a small town with almost no foreigners made us special. I remember being called names on the street, but my younger brother, sister and I did not quite understand why we were treated differently. Besides that we really enjoyed growing up in the country. I was into a lot of sports, especially basketball. Day-in, day-out you could find me shooting hoops in front of our house and on court with my team. I was pretty shy in school and in public but on the court I was able to express myself.

Where does your love of filmmaking originally stem from? Was it always an interest of yours?

"..." Then one day I discovered that little cable TV box in the wall. I somehow managed to open it, even though you actually needed a special tool to open it. And then I connected my little TV. I was the only family member who secretly was able to watch cable. I watched a lot of movies. The ‘90s were the best! But MTV was my favourite channel of them all! Germany only had a handful of regional shows in those days, so we were able to watch UK content. Ray Cokes, Headbangers Ball… and of course MTV YO! Raps. I was a big hip hop fan, so of course this was my show. I also had a passion for watching skateboard videos. So I must say, watching a lot of TV, especially MTV, was the beginning of my passion for moving images in general.

What lessons did you learn during that time that you’ve carried over to directing?

"..." For me, a director does not have to present the best ideas and solutions but decides which ideas and solutions are the best. That’s why I always choose my crew wisely. Even though I am the decision maker, filmmaking is a team effort. I would like to quote former NBA coach Phil Jackson: “As a leader your job is to do everything in your power to create the perfect conditions for success by benching your ego and inspiring your team to play the game the right way. But at some point, you need to let go and turn yourself over to the basketball gods. The soul of success is surrendering to what is.”

How would you define your directorial style?

I don’t have a significant style because I always challenge myself to try out different things. "..." I have done emotional storytelling, vivid visual projects and also authentic documentary portraits. It’s never the same. But I think that there is one thing that does connect all those styles and may define my personal touch… and that’s tangible emotional humaneness in many different forms.

© 2023 Justin Izumi