About

I was born and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii to first generation Japanese and Chinese parents. I grew up eating loco mocos, okonomiyaki, and chow fun. I danced hula, but didn’t surf.

My work is motivated by the craft and impact of what I do. Every person I have the privilege to film has an important story to tell, and I have the responsibility to tell that story with respect, honesty, and compassion. I have learned to find an intimacy in my storytelling that draws out the deeply personal and emotional complexities that make us human. I aim to capture the present tense and emotional truth of every story.

My training in journalism shapes my approach to non-fiction storytelling. My background in life sciences and conservation ecology inspires the topics I explore and the stories I pursue. Together these inform a methodical approach and design strategy that I bring to every production.

In my previous science career, I was struck by lightning, attacked by Capuchin monkeys, and hospitalized with meningitis. Today I find joy in the simple pleasures of life: loving on my son, eating pizza, and snugging my dog.

Resume

WORK

2013-Present. Founder/Director, Hida Visuals Inc, Director, Editor, and Director of Photography, Los Angeles, CA

2024-Present. Co-Founder, The Drew Cunningham Mentorship Program, U.S. Power Soccer Association, USA

2014-Present. Advisory Board Member, Foundation Rwanda, New York, NY

2013. Multimedia Producer, Talking Eyes Media, Montclair, NJ

2012. Multimedia Intern, MediaStorm, New York, NY

2011. Fellow, Carnegie-Knight Syracuse News 21, Syracuse, NY

SELECT AWARDS AND HONORS

UnBroken – SIMA Awards Finalist (2021)

The Fence – World Press Photo, 2nd Prize, Long Feature (2015)

Follow My Steps – Finalist, Katherine Schneider Journalism Award (2014); 2nd Place, NPPA Best of Photojournalism (2013); Special Recognition, SF Shorts; Selected, AI-AP (2013)

God’s Ivory – Webby Nominee: Individual Documentary Episode (2014)

Im/Perfection – Best Doc Short, Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival (2017)

SELECT FILMOGRAPHY

UnBroken (2021) – Director | Finalist, SIMA Awards

Im/Perfection (2017) – Director | HIFF Premiere; Awarded at Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival, Waimea Ocean Film Festival

Follow My Steps (2012) – Director | DOCNYC Premiere; Awarded by World Press Photo, NPPA, AI-AP, San Francisco International Festival of Short Films

SELECT EXHIBITIONS

16 Square Blocks – Wing Luke Museum of the Asian Pacific American Experience (2011, 2012, 2017); SCIDpda IDEA Space permanent collection (2011); 101 South King Street Gallery (2010)

EDUCATION

2011. Syracuse University, M.S. in Photography

2005. University of Washington, B.S. Conservation Ecology & B.A. Spanish

email: hidavisuals@gmail.com
phone: +1(206) 290-8069
linkedin: andrewhida
vimeo: andrewhida
instagram: @andrewhida