- Born
- Birth nameJoshua Aukai Ligairi
- Nicknames
- Wolfman Josh
- Kai Ligairi
- Aukai Ligairi, a Pacific Islander of Fijian decent, grew up in Hawai'i and the Western United States. He is a producer, writer, and director, known for Life Below Zero: First Alaskans (2022), Knights of Mayhem (2011), and Cleanflix (2009). He began making documentary films as a student at Utah Valley University, where he was honored with a Distinguished Alumni Award in the field of Journalism. Before directing, he worked in the Art Department on narrative feature films in props, wardrobe, and production design. He was married in 2003, separated in 2021, and has two children from the marriage. He is a Fellow of Firelight Media, PEAK (Pasifika Entertainment Advancement Komiti), and PIC (Pacific Islanders in Communications). His work has appeared at the Sundance Film Festival and Toronto International Film Festival and on platforms such as Netflix, Hulu, HBO, Amazon, and Disney+
- IMDb mini biography by: Anonymous
- SpouseRachel Mae Ligairi(May 2003 - 2021) (divorced, 2 children)
- RelativesDanny Ligairi (I)(Cousin)
- Son of a Fijian father and an American mother.
- Worked in the art and sound departments at the Sundance Directors Lab for director fellows Lou Pepe (Lost in La Mancha), Miranda July (Me & You & Everyone We Know), and Hany Abu-Assad (Paradise Now) and with talent including Philip Seymour Hoffman, Joseph Gordon Leavitt, and Patrick Fugit.
- Cousin of Actor Danny Ligairi.
- On the DVD release of This Divided State (2005 documentary): "Sure, my name is on the movie poster, but they spelled it wrong. - This Divided State press conference
- On the decision to make Cleanflix (2010 documentary): "I had been interested in the cleaned-up movie industry for a long time.It was just one of those cultural phenomena that brought up so many interesting questions about ethics, morality, and film as art or commodity. And then, of course, there were the religious underpinnings which made the topic really personally appealing to me. - The Examiner 7/28/09
- On the themes of Cleanflix (2010 documentary): "I'm interested in art that expands understanding of the human experience. We're showing the world this specific cross-section of American culture that many people have no idea even exists. - In This Week 9/22/09
- On the Utah premiere of Cleanflix (2010 documentary): "This is such a great local story that I think everyone will enjoy the debate and discussion. Most would agree that we handle the subject matter fairly. Honesty was always our policy. - The Deseret News 8/5/10
- On the message of Cleanflix (2010 documentary): "I think it is important to mention that the film really ebbs and flows. It is not just an issue film. It is not just a character piece. We were following this story as it unraveled and each turn brought another question. And so, for me, the film is not about coming to conclusions. It is more about recognizing the strangeness, complexity, and diversity that makes up our world, even in a culture that most would think is pretty homogenized. - DocMovies 7/27/10
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