Photo: Marie Bergé for Visions du Réel ©2010

Biography:

Born in America, Ian Thomas Ash earned an MA in Film and Television at the University of Bristol, UK, in 2004.  His first feature documentary, “the ballad of vicki and jake”, received the Prix du Canton Vaud prize at the 2006 Visions du Reél International Documentary Film Festival in Nyon, Switzerland. At the 2012 Rhode Island International Film Festival at which the World Premier of “In the Grey Zone” was held, Ian was presented with the “Filmmaker of the Future Award”. Ian has lived in Japan for 10 years and currently lives in Tokyo.

Filmography:

“minus1287”, director/ producer. documentary/ 61 min/ Japan/ 2013.
As she nears the end of her life, Kazuko’s observations on love, money, marriage and her own death change, as does her relationship with the filmmaker.

“In the Grey Zone”, director.  documentary/ 89 min/ Japan/ 2012.
After the nuclear meltdown in Fukushima, what happened to the children who were not evacuated?

“Jake, not finished yet”, director.  documentary/ 81 min/ Japan & UK/ 2010.
The story of two mothers and two sons whose chance meeting seven years earlier changes their lives forever.

“the ballad of vicki and jake”, director/ producer.  documentary/ 84 min/ UK/ 2006.
A family struggles with drug abuse, homelessness and their relationship with the filmmaker.