Gregory Hatanaka

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.

Crew

The Awakening of Emanuelle
Director, Producer, Director of Photography
Shadow Fury
Executive Producer
Until the Night
Director, Writer
As I Kiss You
Writer, Producer, Cinematography
Violent Blue
Screenplay, Director, Producer
Mad Cowgirl
Director, Writer, Director of Photography, Editor, Producer
Hunter
Producer, Director
Bar Paradise
Director
Maid Droid
Producer
Blue Dream
Director, Screenplay, Producer
Another Way To Die
Director, Producer, Director of Photography
Allan Quatermain and the Spear of Destiny
Executive Producer
Samurai Cop 2: Deadly Vengeance
Director, Producer, Screenplay, Editor
Death Toilet
Thanks
A Wiseguy Christmas
Director, Executive Producer, Director of Photography
Deadly Western
Director
Backfire
Writer, Director
Body of Night
Director of Photography, Producer, Story, Director
Call Me Emanuelle
Director, Producer, Director of Photography
Bad Timing
Director, Executive Producer, Director of Photography
American Western
Director
Amor Emanuelle
Director, Executive Producer, Director of Photography
Amityville Cop
Director, Director of Photography, Producer
The DeMarco Crew
Director, Director of Photography, Executive Producer
Dark Deeds
Director, Producer, Director of Photography
Convulsion
Director, Director of Photography, Producer
Night Cops
Director, Executive Producer, Director of Photography
The Magical Christmas Tree
Producer
Bikini Hackers
Producer, Director of Photography
Darling Nikki
Producer, Director, Writer
Caged Beauty
Producer, Writer, Director
Sociopathia
Executive Producer
Quarantine Girl
Director of Photography, Director, Producer
Sinful
Producer, Director of Photography
Wicked Game
Director of Photography, Producer
Heartbeat
Director of Photography, Executive Producer, Director, Writer
Holy Terror
Director of Photography, Executive Producer
Love Crime
Producer, Director of Photography
Acrylic
Director of Photography, Producer
Kill Plan
Producer, Director of Photography, Director
Amateur Porn Star Killer 2
Co-Executive Producer
Crack: Back in Da Hood
Executive Producer, Producer
All About Araya
Producer, Director of Photography
American Mobster: Retribution
Director, Director of Photography, Executive Producer
The Wrong Sarah
Producer
Death Game
Director
Panic
Director, Director of Photography
Boiling Point
Writer, Director
Baby Cat
Executive Producer
We Are Wolves
Producer
Crack
Director, Executive Producer, Director of Photography
Amityville Emanuelle
Producer, Executive Producer
Mansplained
Executive Producer
Amityville Backpack
Co-Executive Producer
Bolero
Cinematography, Director
Enter the Samurai: The Making of Samurai Cop 2
Producer
The Haunting of La Llorona
Producer
Choke
Director, Writer, Producer, Cinematography
Amateur Porn Star Killer 3: The Final Chapter
Producer
A Christmas Love
Director, Director of Photography
Double Deception
Executive Producer
DV2
Executive Producer
Dv3
Producer
One Million Babes BC
Executive Producer
Souls of the Damned
Executive Producer
Maid Droid Origins
Producer
American Scream
Producer
Blow Out
Director, Writer, Producer, Cinematography, Editor
Yakuza Girl
Producer
Fatal Justice
Producer, Cinematography
Trail Cam Sasquatch
Executive Producer
Love Hurts
Producer, Executive Producer
Love Never Leaves
Producer, Executive Producer
Sleaze Please: The World of Bill Margold
Director, Producer, Writer
Angels in Retina
Producer
Red Static Rising
Producer, Executive Producer
Demon Spawn
Producer
Torment of the Witch
Producer
Poison Tree
Producer
American Werewolf
Producer
American Psychopath
Executive Co-Producer
Battle Beyond Mars
Producer
Blood of La Llorona
Producer
Paranormal Body Stream
Producer, Executive Producer, Presenter
Laserium
Producer
Butchered by Sundown
Producer
The Idaho College Killer
Producer
Dance the Kung Fu
Producer
Robot Girlfriend: Revenge
Producer
A Man Is Dead
Director, Writer
Amityville La Llorona
Producer
La Llorona Kamasutra
Producer
Sorority Girl Massacre: Black Static at the Moment of Death
Producer
The Centipede Strangler
Executive Producer
Bikini Guillotine
Producer
The Mother's Eye
Producer
The Creativity Workshop
Producer
Blood Rush
Producer
War Raiders
Executive Producer
Dreams for Lease
Producer
Amityville Chupacabra
Producer
Kamasutra Cowgirl
Producer
Blue Belt
Producer, Executive Producer
Bad Girl School
Producer, Executive Producer
Feral
Producer
Felines
Producer
Chupacabra vs. La Llorona
Producer
Lady in the Urn
Executive Producer, Producer
Say Cheese
Executive Producer
Blue Emanuelle
Producer
Sudden Light
Director, Writer
One Hour Girlfriend
Director, Writer
Beyond Sasquatch
Director, Writer
Shadow Death
Producer
Sorority House Guillotine
Director, Writer
Sasquatch Within
Director, Writer
American Nudist
Director
Bad Girl Office
Producer