SHIMON MACHIDA
DIRECTOR
A director who blends humour, experimental flair, and emotional resonance into each narrative he crafts.
Don't be that guy
Square One Insurance
Director, DP, Editor
Toilet troubles
Square One Insurance
Director, DP, Editor
Over 25 shoot days in scorching summer heat, I saw a community of tradespeople and designers giving their time out of pure compassion to reimagine a space of healing for a family facing unimaginable loss.
This four-part miniseries unveils the story of how an almost impossible first-floor reno came together in under three months--a project that began three years ago today and stands as my most heartfelt directorial endeavour to date.
A promising young actress strives for applause, but her dream soon turns into nightmarish reality.
Official Selection at Switzerland International Film Festival and
The National Film Festival for Talented Youth 2018
About this human
Shimon’s work oscillates between absurdity and sincerity, embracing eccentric humour, experimental form, and the kind of emotional weight that lingers. Shaped by his Japanese and Pakistani heritage and a childhood in Vancouver, his vision carries a rare depth—painting the world in unexpected hues. His short films have screened at international festivals including the National Film Festival for Talented Youth—the world’s largest youth film festival—and the Switzerland International Film Festival, and have won awards at local festivals, recognized for their distinctive perspective and innovative narrative approach.
At just 16, Shimon was hired as a photographer, videographer, and editor for a gallery run by renowned photographers Yukiko Onley and Peter Eastwood—two influential figures who saw in him not just creative promise, but a passionate young director with a sharp eye and remarkable discipline. Immersed in a world of sculpture, dance, painting, and performance, he developed an intuitive understanding of how different artistic forms speak to each other—an ability he now brings to his filmmaking, seamlessly blending mediums to craft layered, expressive visuals.
By 22, Shimon was taken under the wing of filmmaker and musician Rashad Haughton in Tokyo, who was struck by the quality of his work and his sharp instincts as both a cinematographer and music composer. Under Rashad’s mentorship, Shimon co-developed a television series screenplay, composed and produced an original piece of music, and directed a music video that went on to screen at the Paris Independent Film Festival.
Surrounded by artists across disciplines, Shimon has cultivated a rare sensitivity to the rhythm of creative minds. He fosters spaces where collaboration isn’t just welcomed—it flourishes. With a quiet command and a crystalline vision, he brings ideas into focus, elevating every voice while steering the whole with intention. This alchemy of empathy and precision is what allows his work to land with such clarity and force—cohesive, daring, and deeply felt.
Let's make something.