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Gregory Hatanaka
Producer, Director, Writer, Actor, Editor, Additional Credits
Gregory Hatanaka is an American filmmaker, producer, and distributor whose career bridges international film distribution and independent feature production. He is the founder of Cinema Epoch and Cineridge Entertainment, companies through which he has overseen the release and circulation of a wide range of independent and international films across theatrical and digital platforms.
Hatanaka began his career in film distribution in the 1990s, working with cult and international cinema and helping introduce global genre and arthouse titles to U.S. audiences. His early work focused particularly on Asian and specialty films, reflecting a long-standing passion for drive-in cinema, action films, and unconventional storytelling. This foundation in international distribution informed his later approach as a filmmaker, blending genre tradition with stylistic experimentation.
Transitioning into directing and producing his own features, Hatanaka developed a body of work that moves between action, thriller, drama, and surreal independent cinema. His films often explore themes of identity, obsession, moral ambiguity, and emotional isolation. Visually, his work combines classical influences with contemporary digital production techniques, frequently embracing tonal shifts, heightened atmosphere, and character-driven intensity.
Known for maintaining close creative involvement in multiple stages of production, Hatanaka often works across development, editing, and post-production to preserve continuity of vision. His dual experience in both distribution and filmmaking provides him with a practical understanding of how independent films evolve from concept to audience.
Prolific and adaptable, Hatanaka continues to develop new projects while managing an expanding catalog of independent cinema. His career reflects a sustained commitment to genre filmmaking, global film culture, and the evolving landscape of digital distribution.
Hatanaka began his career in film distribution in the 1990s, working with cult and international cinema and helping introduce global genre and arthouse titles to U.S. audiences. His early work focused particularly on Asian and specialty films, reflecting a long-standing passion for drive-in cinema, action films, and unconventional storytelling. This foundation in international distribution informed his later approach as a filmmaker, blending genre tradition with stylistic experimentation.
Transitioning into directing and producing his own features, Hatanaka developed a body of work that moves between action, thriller, drama, and surreal independent cinema. His films often explore themes of identity, obsession, moral ambiguity, and emotional isolation. Visually, his work combines classical influences with contemporary digital production techniques, frequently embracing tonal shifts, heightened atmosphere, and character-driven intensity.
Known for maintaining close creative involvement in multiple stages of production, Hatanaka often works across development, editing, and post-production to preserve continuity of vision. His dual experience in both distribution and filmmaking provides him with a practical understanding of how independent films evolve from concept to audience.
Prolific and adaptable, Hatanaka continues to develop new projects while managing an expanding catalog of independent cinema. His career reflects a sustained commitment to genre filmmaking, global film culture, and the evolving landscape of digital distribution.
Known For
Filmography
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| 2025 | Lady in the Urn · as Executive Producer |
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| 2025 | The Centipede Strangler · as Executive Producer |
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| 2025 | Trail Cam Sasquatch · as Executive Producer |
| 2024 | |
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| 2024 | One Million Babes BC · as Executive Producer |
| 2024 | Souls of the Damned · as Executive Producer |
| 2024 | Souls of the Damned · as Executive Producer |
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| 2024 | Slaughterhouse on the Hill · as Executive Producer |
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| 2024 | Crack: Back in Da Hood · as Executive Producer |
| 2024 | The DeMarco Crew · as Executive Producer |
| 2023 | |
| 2023 | Allan Quatermain and the Spear of Destiny · as Executive Producer |
| 2023 | |
| 2023 | |
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| 2023 | Mansplained · as Executive Producer |
| 2023 | Baby Cat · as Executive Producer |
| 2023 | |
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| 2023 | Night Cops · as Executive Producer |
| 2023 | |
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| 2023 | Crack · as Executive Producer |
| 2023 | |
| 2023 | |
| 2023 | Amor Emanuelle · as Executive Producer |
| 2023 | |
| 2022 | |
| 2022 | American Western · as Executive Producer |
| 2022 | |
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| 2022 | Bad Timing · as Executive Producer |
| 2022 | |
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| 2021 | |
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| 2021 | A Wiseguy Christmas · as Executive Producer |
| 2021 | |
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| 2021 | |
| 2021 | American Mobster: Retribution · as Executive Producer |
| 2021 | |
| 2020 | A Christmas Love · as Executive Producer |
| 2020 | |
| 2020 | Heartbeat · as Executive Producer |
| 2020 | |
| 2020 | |
| 2020 | |
| 2020 | |
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| 2019 | |
| 2019 | |
| 2018 | |
| 2018 | War Raiders · as Executive Producer |
| 2017 | Faithless · as Associate Producer |
| 2017 | Holy Terror · as Executive Producer |
| 2016 | |
| 2016 | Toxic Apocalypse · as Associate Producer |
| 2015 | Sociopathia · as Executive Producer |
| 2015 | Cooking in with Joycelyne (TV Series) · as Executive Producer |
| 2015 | |
| 2015 | |
| 2015 | Body Electric · as Executive Producer |
| 2013 | |
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| 2011 | |
| 2010 | |
| 2010 | |
| 2009 | |
| 2006 | |
| 2001 | |
| 2001 | Shadow Fury · as Executive Producer |
| 2001 | Double Deception · as Executive Producer |
| 2001 | 1st Testament CIA Vengeance · as Executive Producer |