BioGRAPHY

Robin Takao D’Oench is a writer-director from NYC whose work blends personal history with visually compelling, genre-forward storytelling. His most recent work, FIRELINE, centering on incarcerated firefighters, executive produced by Lena Waithe, premiered at the 2024 Tribeca Festival, won Best VFX at Hollyshorts, screened at the Palm Springs International Shortfest, Sony Future Filmmakers Awards, Newport Beach Film Festival, qualified for the 97th Academy Awards, and is currently streaming on Hulu. His debut film, TADAIMA, inspired by his family’s experiences during the Japanese American Internment, premiered at CAAMFest, received a certificate of commendation from the city of San Francisco, won Best Short at the Philadelphia Asian American FF, was acquired by Comcast-Xfinity, Seed & Spark, is included in the Densho Japanese American Legacy Guide, and currently streams on Nichibei OnDemand. His other works: HERE COMES FRIEDA, a dystopian sci-fi set in the backdrop of a climate disaster, premiered at Slamdance, was acquired by Gunpowder & Sky and is currently streaming on WatchDUST; HARD premiered at the Outfest Fusion opening Gala and won awards at the Rhode Island International Film Festival and NYCShorts; TRESPASSERS, a monster horror short, premiered with “Bite Size Halloween” and is currently streaming on Hulu. Robin is a directing alumnus of Film Independent’s Project Involve, Indeed’s Rising Voices, Sony’s Future Filmmakers, and New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts.