"Do what you can't"
Kaito Sashihara Martínez is a half Japanese half Spanish director and cinematographer focussed on multicultural productions. He previously worked on productions across Spain, Germany, Mexico, Portugal, Sweden, and Japan. His skill set in niche guerrilla style productions paired with his underwater cinematography has set him a path to a free flowing journalistic style of works.
Currently based in Berlin—where he earned his BA in Film Production from Catalyst Institute for Creative Arts—his debut short film "Pelargonía" led him to participate in the 78th CANNES Short Film Corner. He is currently working on his first documentary feature as well as developing a fiction feature and an animated short film.
Current Works In Progress
ISLAND OF SWALLOWS
Dir. Kaito Sashihara Martínez, Octavia Lily Windish
Producer: Jenny Jo Stokka
DOP: Kaito Sashihara Martínez
LOGLINE |
Corruption, greed, and ignorance; salvation of Cozumel’s marine ecosystem told through four Mexicans as they navigate through the tightropes of modern politics.
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GENRE |
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Documentary
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LENGTH |
85 min
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STAGE |
Proof of Concept, Funding
PROJECTED COMPLETION DATE |
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March, 2026
FLY. I CANNOT.
Dir. Kaito Sashihara Martínez, Viktorija BaltušytÄ—
Animator: Viktorija BaltušytÄ—
LOGLINE |
A Swallow defeated by a sudden storm is forced to reconcile with its own purpose of being a flight-full bird.
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GENRE |
Animation Hybrid
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LENGTH |
15 min
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STAGE |
Pre-Production
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PROJECTED COMPLETION DATE |
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December 2025
OF HEROES AND TOMBS
Dir. Gawth
Creative Producer: Kaito Sashihara Martínez
SYNOPSIS |
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​​“Of Heroes and Tombs” is a reminiscence of the Syrian revolution by a visual memoir that captures the lives of group of friends over 14 years. From the beginning of the Syrian revolution in 2011, to their escape to Lebanon, then Turkey, Balkans, and ends in the present day as refugees in Germany and Canada before finally back in Syria with the victory of the revolution and the fall of the Assad’s regime in December 2024
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GENRE |
Documentary
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LENGTH |
100 min
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STAGE |
Post-Production
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PROJECTED COMPLETION DATE |
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December 2025