Kaz Firpo

Matthew Kazuo "Kaz" Firpo is an American film director, screenwriter, and photographer. Along with his cousin, Ryan, he has written upcoming Marvel Cinematic Universe film Eternals. His debut documentary Refuge won Best Documentary at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival, while also playing at SXSW.[1][2]

Kaz Firpo
Born
Matthew Kazuo Firpo

San Francisco, California
Alma materNew York University
OccupationDirector, screenwriter, photographer

A graduate of the New York University Tisch School of the Arts, Firpo was named one of Forbes' 30 Under 30 in 2016.[3]

Early life and Education

Firpo was born and raised in San Francisco, California, the youngest son of artists Claudia Katayanagi and Patrick Firpo, and brother of creative director Danny Firpo.[4] He attended Sir Francis Drake High School in Marin County. He then attended New York University, majoring in Film & Television and Classical Studies in the Tisch School of the Arts.[5]

Career

Firpo's directorial debut, Refuge, documented various stories from the Syrian Refugee Crisis. The film was shot in Greece.[6][7] The film premiered at SXSW, and won Best Documentary at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival.[8] He has since worked with UNICEF, making a documentary series in Chiapas, Mexico and Kingston, Jamaica.[9]

His short film, Child's Play, starring Tony Award-winner David Alvarez, won Best Screenplay at the Beverly Hills Film Festival.[10]

Firpo has a number of projects in pre-production. His 2017 Black List-winning script, Ruin, co-written with his writing partner Ryan Firpo, has Margot Robbie attached to star with Justin Kurzel set to direct.[11][12][13] Also in pre-production is the thriller Mimi from Rio, which was purchased by Netflix. Ridley Scott is attached as a producer.[14]

In May 2018, it was announced that the Firpos were hired by Marvel Studios to write a film based on the Eternals, to be released as part of "Phase Four" of the MCU.[15] The film wrapped principal photography in February 2020, and is set for release in November 2021.[16]

Other Projects

Firpo has also found work as a commercial director and photographer. His commercial projects include working with brands such as Snapchat, Tinder, and Instagram.[17] His work with Tinder earned him a spot in Adweek's top 9 commercials of the year.[18]

As a photographer, he has shot editorials and magazine covers around the world, including Bhutan, Rajasthan, and the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro.[19][20]

Filmography
  • Refuge (2017) - director, producer
  • Eternals (2021) - co-screenwriter

References
  1. Ahern, Sarah (2017-02-11). "Santa Barbara Film Festival Announces 2017 Award Winners". Variety. Retrieved 2017-05-14.
  2. "REFUGE | SXSW 2017 Schedule". schedule.sxsw.com. Retrieved 2017-05-14.
  3. Rooney, Jennifer. "Matthew K. Firpo, 25, Maximilian Guen, 23 - pg.12". Forbes. Retrieved 2017-05-15.
  4. "Barneville-Carteret : un réalisateur américain sublime la station balnéaire" (in French). Retrieved 2017-05-14.
  5. "Alum Named to Forbes 30 Under 30, LS | NYU". www.liberalstudies.nyu.edu. Retrieved 2017-05-14.
  6. Frej, Willa (2016-05-26). "Refugees Passing Through Greece Share Their Tragedies In Heartwrenching Film". Huffington Post. Retrieved 2017-05-14.
  7. "Filmmakers Travel From NYC to Greece, Uncovering The Human Side of The Refugee Crisis". Global Citizen. Retrieved 2017-05-14.
  8. Ahern, Sarah (2017-02-11). "Santa Barbara Film Festival Announces 2017 Award Winners". Variety. Retrieved 2020-03-03.
  9. "In Jamaica, Local Heroes Help Kids Build Safer Futures". UNICEF USA. Retrieved 2017-05-14.
  10. "13th Annual Beverly Hills Film Festival Announces Award Winners at Gala Awards Ceremony - Fest Expands to Japan | Splash Magazines | Los Angeles". Splash Magazines | Los Angeles. Retrieved 2017-05-14.
  11. Hipes, Patrick (2017-12-11). "The Black List 2017 Screenplays: Post-WWII Tale 'Ruin' Is No. 1 – Full Rankings". Deadline. Retrieved 2018-02-16.
  12. "Justin Kurzel Attached to Direct Hot Spec "Ruin," Which Has Multiple Studio Offers (Exclusive)". The Tracking Board. 2017-03-31. Retrieved 2017-05-14.
  13. McNary, Dave (2017-10-11). "Margot Robbie, Matthias Schoenaerts to Star in World War II Thriller 'Ruin'". Variety. Retrieved 2017-10-12.
  14. Jr, Mike Fleming (2017-12-05). "Netflix Wins Sci-Fi Spec Script 'Mimi From Rio'". Deadline. Retrieved 2018-02-16.
  15. Kit, Borys (May 15, 2018). "Marvel Sets Black List Writers for 'Eternals' Movie (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved May 20, 2018.
  16. "Marvel's Eternals Movie Has Finished Filming". ScreenRant. 2020-02-02. Retrieved 2020-03-03.
  17. Nudd|March 4, Tim; 2015. "Ad of the Day: Tinder Plus Takes a Girl on Wild Adventures in Love, Sex and Travel". www.adweek.com. Retrieved 2020-03-03.CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  18. "Check Out 9 of the Year's Best Written, Directed and Produced Videos". www.adweek.com. Retrieved 2020-03-03.
  19. Magazine, SUITCASE. "Desert Mirage "The Getaway"". SUITCASE Magazine. Retrieved 2020-03-03.
  20. Magazine, SUITCASE. "In the Beginning...Go behind the scenes". SUITCASE Magazine. Retrieved 2020-03-03.
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