Nobutaka Emura

Nobutaka Emura

Nobutaka Emura (Nobu) is a passionate cinematographer from Japan.
He earned his MFA in Film Production from the USC School of Cinematic Arts, reflecting his deep dedication to visual storytelling that elevates emotion and character.

Recently, his work as Director of Photography on the short film “Julian” earned the Audience Award at FRIEZE LOS ANGELES. Nobu’s notable cinematography credits also include the narrative short “John”, which earned the prestigious Graduate Narrative West 1st Runner Up for Underrepresented Directors at the 2026 DGA Student Spotlight Awards. In 2023, he received the USC First Look Faculty Cinematography Award for “In Nomine Patris”, which he shot as Director of Photography—recognizing his artistic vision and technical excellence.

With over 10 short films to his credit, he filmed a documentary for the global entertainment agency, HYBE and Japanese major network, ABEMA TV. Nobu’s versatility extends into commercial production and TV live broadcast, having worked with elite athletes like Shohei Ohtani from Dodgers and LA Galaxy captain Maya Yoshida. Throughout the 2024 and 2025 seasons, he served as a camera operator providing comprehensive coverage of the Los Angeles Dodgers. His work included capturing player’s interviews and behind-the-scenes practice footage for Fuji TV, one of Japan’s leading national networks.

A unique strength of Nobu’s lies in his adaptability—shaped by living and working in Japan, Thailand, and the U.S., and by shooting in fast-changing environments day after day. He likens himself to a versatile Lego block—providing structure, color, and support to any crew while blending seamlessly into the creative process.