JAPANESE-ITALIAN AMERICAN
WRITER
DIRECTOR
PRODUCER
EDITOR
DESIGNER
BASED OUT OF LA & NY
FROM CALIFORNIA
MAREN EMIKO ELARDO
hey, i’m maren emiko elardo! i am a filmmaker with a passion for stories that explore identity, cultural conflict, and the rawness of human emotion. my work as a writer, director, producer, editor, and designer aims to amplify underrepresented voices and create narratives that resonate deeply with audiences.
i hold a BA in Cinema and Television Arts Film Production from California State University, Northridge, with minors in Photography and Video, and Theatre Design and Production.
my creative journey began with my short film Ikigai, which was selected for production through the Golden Globe Foundation Fellowship at CSUN. inspired by my mother’s childhood, the film delves into Japanese American identity and marked my directorial debut.
i’ve worked behind the scenes at the Golden Globe Awards for two consecutive years. in 2024, i served as a trophy presenter at the 81st Golden Globes and was featured on stage. in 2025, i returned as the Executive Producer Production Assistant, working closely with Ricky Kirshner and Glenn Weiss on the live broadcast. i am also a member of the Disney Entertainment Television Production Assistant Initiative.
currently, i’m co-developing Kill The Blonde, an independent film production company founded by fellow filmmakers from college. our dream is to provide a platform for underrepresented voices and foster an inclusive environment for artists.
our first project, co-written with Priya Burleson, will be my feature film directorial debut. we’re in the development phase and i am so excited and proud to be a part of a story that pushes boundaries in both content and form!
so what are you waiting for?! let’s have some fun and connect!