Biography

A visionary filmmaker and master storyteller, Iwata Sam-widely known as LIU-has carved a distinctive path in the world of cinema and commercial filmmaking. With over two decades of experience in the Asian markets, he has collaborated with global icons such as Nicole Kidman, Karlie Kloss, and Manny Pacquiao, seamlessly blending artistic expression with commercial impact.

As the former head of M&C Saatchi’s TV division and now the creative force behind 38pro Film Ltd., Sam has built a body of work that defies convention, blurring the lines between reality and imagination. His dedication to pushing storytelling boundaries is evident in his award-winning films, including Metempsychosis and Breaking Free, as well as his upcoming supernatural biopic, Melodies of the Abyss.
- IMDb mini biography by: by FilmmakerLife Team

For nearly two decades, Sam Iwata aka LIU operated at the apex of the commercial world, crafting pristine campaigns for clients like Estée Lauder, Filorga, and Lancôme, where the primary directive was to make a product look like a million dollars. But in 2020, Iwata traded the calculated perfection of advertising for the messy, haunting landscapes of the human soul. Now the founder of 38pro Film Ltd., Iwata is applying that same high-stakes discipline to a very different canvas: the psychological thriller. With his latest film, Melodies of the Abyss-a speculative fever dream re-imagining Kurt Cobain’s final hours-he proves that the precision required to sell a brand is the same precision required to dismantle a psyche. We sat down with the director to discuss his pivot from dictating commercial performance to unearthing the raw vulnerability of independent cinema.
- IMDb mini biography by: INDIE SHORTS MAG TEAM