Makoto Hirano
Film Director and Creative Director 

Makoto Hirano is a Japanese-born filmmaker and novelist based in New York. Raised in Egypt and the United States, he has spent more than three decades telling stories across film, advertising, and literature, bringing a global perspective shaped by a life lived across cultures.

A self-taught filmmaker, Makoto began his creative career in New York before directing commercials and branded films throughout Asia, Australia, Europe, and North America. His work has earned international recognition, including two Cannes Lions and a British D&AD Award, and has included campaigns for brands such as Sony, Toshiba, Godiva, and Grand Marnier.

Alongside his work in film, Makoto writes literary fiction and is represented by Susanna Lea Associates in London. His novels explore memory, identity, history, and the quiet forces that shape human lives.

Whether directing a film, developing a screenplay, or writing a novel, Makoto approaches each project with the same curiosity and commitment to emotional truth.