Feature article in Hyphen Magazine

My friend Oliver Saria wrote a great feature on me in Hyphen Magazine. We met up and talked over burgers at Plan Check on Sawtelle. I feel he really understood my goals as a filmmaker and where I'm at in my career. Oliver is a super talented writer and is the drummer for one of my favorite bands The Skyflakes!

Life on Four Strings wins at the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Fest!

Photo by Steve Lam

Just when I thought the Los Angeles premiere of Life on Four Strings couldn't have gone better, it did.  We won both the Audience Award for Best Documentary and the Best Editor Award at the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Fest (LAAPFF)!  While I do love me some awards, the best part about the LAAPFF screening was being able to finally show the film to a hometown crowd of family and friends.  Big hugs and thank you to everyone who came out to support that night!

PBS National Broadcast Premiere of Life on Four Strings on May 10, 2013!

PBS Hawa'i Broadcast Premiere on March 12th

Jake Shimabukuro: Life on Four Strings will have it's exclusive Hawai'i broadcast premiere on Tuesday, March 12th at 8:00p.  PBS Hawai'i gets to air the film two months before the national broadcast (on May 10th, but please tune-in then also).   So many people in Hawai'i contributed their time and talent to this film and I'm happy that they can be the first to share it with their family, friends and neighbors.  For me, the best outcome of this project is the relationships I built with local artists and community members during the two and a half years of production.

Seattle Asian American Film Festival

After a six year break the Seattle Asian American Film Festival returned this year to the Wing Luke Museum. Life on Four Strings was screened for the first time in Seattle to a sold out audience. Since many people were not able to purchase tickets in time we hope to screen bring the film to Seattle again soon. The screening was co-sponsored by the Seattle Ukulele Players Association (SUPA).


The SAAFF poster featuring Life on Four Strings was spotted in many local businesses in the International District.


Thanks to everyone who came out to the screening!


Co-Directors of SAAFF Vanessa Au and Kevin Bang


Went to the Blue Scholars/The Physics studio for a Rappers W/ Cameras kick back.


Geo and B.


LA in the building! ...Bambu...


Life of Sabzi


Cindy enjoyed her first time in The Town.


Pike’s Place Chowder was just one of the many food spots we hit up.


Beautiful Pacific Northwest sunset

PBS Press Tour

The Television Critics Association holds their national press tour twice a year for networks and cable companies to present their shows for the upcoming season. Reporters from all over the country gather in Pasadena, CA to preview films and listen to panels. Life on Four Strings had the honor of being featured during the PBS showcase at this year’s Winter Press Tour.


I got to get fancy for the press!


Photo by Rahoul Ghose/PBS
Jake treated the 70+ reporters in attendance to a performance following a short clip from the film.


Photo by Rahoul Ghose/PBS


Photo by Rahoul Ghose/PBS


Jake continued to talk with reporters in the lobby after the panel was finished.


The day was capped off with a great meal at Arroyo Chop House, which was capped off with this souffle.

Video from Smithsonian Screening

Here's a video recap of Jake's PBS office show and the Life On Four Strings screening at the Smithsonian in DC!

DC Premiere at The Smithsonian

(Photo by Smithsonian APA Center)

The Washington DC premiere of Life on Four Strings was presented by the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center, Center for Asian American Media (CAAM) and Pacific Islanders in Communication (PIC). All partners of the film came to D.C. for this special event including Leanne Ferrer from PIC (Honolulu) and Stephen Gong from CAAM (San Francisco). Jake added an extra day to his East Coast tour so he could attend the event.


The day started early with a special visit to Eastern High School where Jake talked about the ukulele and demonstrated it’s power. The students requested he play his cover of Adele’s “Rolling in the Deep”…twice!


We then headed over to the National PBS Headquarters in Arlington, VA.


PBS staffers crowded in the lobby to see Jake perform. Department meeting or free concert, which one would you pick?


Don Young (Producer of Life on Four Strings) and I took Jake to experience Shake Shack for the first time. It's hands down my favorite burger joint and Jake was not disappointed. When I first met Jake he was a gluten free health freak and now look at him.




People packed the theater at the Smithsonian Museum of the American Indian. There was a great energy in the room the whole night, the DC crowd was one the most lively audiences we have had so far. The film was followed by a wonderful performance by Jake and a Q&A session moderated by CAAM board member Christine Chen.
(Photo by Smithsonian APA Center)


Director of the Smithsonian Asian and Pacific American Center Konrad Ng (who also happens to be President Obama’s brother-in-law) welcomed the audience.
(Photo by Smithsonian APA Center)


Leanne Ferrer from Pacific Islanders In Communication introduced the film. (Photo by Smithsonian APA Center)


Following the film, Jake broke out his uke and his vest for the audience. (Photo by Smithsonian APA Center)



CAAM Board member Christine Chen moderated a real fun Q&A. I thought it might rain on stage so I wore my waterproof vans, Jake wore his waterproof pants.  (Photo by Smithsonian APA Center)