Jen Araki Playfair is an award-winning director/filmmaker and co-founder of Crystal Mountain Films and Media Button. Known for her character-driven, raw storytelling, she crafts gritty, emotional narratives that feel both grounded and cinematic. Jen has directed countless commercials (including Nintendo), brand films, documentaries, and feature films. Her award-winning short film Whistle premiered at Cannes Indie Shorts, and her documentary We Gotta Get Out of Here explores the foster care system in Los Angeles. She also directed the PBS documentary They Call Me Superman, about a boxing coach at WildCard Boxing Gym who mentors kids off the streets.
Currently, Jen is in pre-production for the thriller Breeder. Originally from Kelowna, BC, she holds dual U.S. and Canadian citizenship, with production offices in Los Angeles and Vancouver.
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