Daisuke Sato began his career in the special effects field as a modeling assistant for Godzilla, Mothra, and King Ghidorah: The Great Monsters All-Out Attack (2001). He has been involved in the creation of practical effects for such productions as Godzilla Final Wars (2004), Gamera (2006), Ultraman Moebius & Ultra Brothers (2006), and Tokusatsu Kigeki Oki Yuzo: The Greatest Battle of My Life (2010). He directed the short film The Land of Fog (2019), then worked as cinematographer on Kaike Neko Kyousoukyoku (2021), as co-director and SFX/cinematographer on Hoshi 35 (2023), and directed SFX scenes for the American film Ikè Boys (2024). He served as the special effects director and producer of the NYAFF 2024 film Brush of the God.

Kazuya Shiraishi began his career working as an assistant director for the legendary Koji Wakamatsu, as well as Isao Yukisada and Isshin Inudo. He made his own debut in 2009 with Lost Paradise in Tokyo and earned acclaim for his gritty explorations of dark societal themes, with compelling narratives and complex characters spanning the crime, drama, and thriller genres. His many award-winning works include The Devil's Path (NYAFF 2013), Twisted Justice (NYAFF 2016), which he presented in person at NYAFF, The Blood of Wolves (NYAFF 2018), and Last of the Wolves (NYAFF 2021). He joins us at NYAFF 2024 with his first jidaigeki period film, Bushido.