Biography

Jen Araki is an award-winning filmmaker and actress and the is the founder of the production companies Media Button and Crystal Mountain Films that she co-owns with her husband Dylan Playfair. She started her career modelling when she was 13 years old and shortly after that she started acting in New York/LA and now she is also directing and producing. Jen has directed commercials, short films, documentaries, and brand films. While currently running 2 production companies (Media Button and CMF) she has several narrative projects in develop and plans to create as much as she can. Some of Jen’s on-screen highlights range from “Sopranos” playing Tony Sopranos mistress to a flower child in the recent feature film “The Sinners”.

Recently, she directed, produced, and starred in an award-winning short film drama called “Whistle” which is inspired by true events about Emma who returns to her childhood home upon her father’s death. But what set out to be a simple funeral service because a journey down nostalgia lane, making her confront her bittersweet relationship with her father. It is currently in the festival circuit, and she won “Best Female direction” in the Venice Short film awards, Chicago Indie Festival and nominated for Best Direction at the Leo Awards. The film received 7 Leo Nominations and has been in the Indie Cannes Indie Short Awards, New York Shorts International Festival, Paris International short awards, Nevada’s Women’s Festival and Flickers Those Island International Festival.  Currently the feature of “Whistle” is in development.

Born and raised in Canada (Kelowna, BC) she holds dual citizenship and resides between both Vancouver, BC (Canada) and Los Angeles CA ( USA).