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 three 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. in 2026, i worked as a production assistant in the control room, supporting the team at the center of the show’s live operations. i am also a member of the Disney Entertainment Television Production Assistant Initiative.
currently, i’m developing my first feature film with my creative partner from college, Priya Burleson. we co-wrote the project together, and it will be my feature directorial debut. we’re in the development phase, and i’m really excited to be working on a story that pushes boundaries in both content and form.
so what are you waiting for?! let’s have some fun and connect!