Joel Kazuo Knoernschild

Born in Southern California, Joel's a mixed-race, half Japanese Emmy award winning film director and commercial director who seeks to give a voice to marginalized individuals.

Joel has participated in Ryan Murphy Televisions “Half Initiative” directing program, supporting minorities, women and LGBQT, where he spent his time on RMTV’s new Netflix show “the Politician,” starring Ben Platt, Gwyneth Paltrow, Zoey Deutch and Jessica Lange.

He spent most of 2018 & 2019 in New York City shooting and directing episodes for “POSE: Identity, Community, Respect,” a documentary around the largest transgender cast ever assembled for television for Ryan Murphy Television / FX. Joel also shot an eight episode documentary for Mart Crowley's "The Boys in the Band" starring Jim Parsons, Zachary Quinto, Matt Bomer, Andrew Rannells, Charlie Carver, Robin de Jesus, Brian Hutchison, Michael Benjamin Washington and Tuc Watkins.

Joel’s narrative short film, “VARMiNT” challenges life lessons in adulthood, social conventions and man’s thoughtless disposals of life, Winning the Audience Award at the New Orleans Film Festival, Winning the Grand Jury Prize at Dances with Films, featured on Short of the Week and received a Vimeo Staff Pick.

His experimental short film “Sight Unseen” (presented by NOWNESS) features musician FKA Twigs and was screened at the Hammer Museum in Los Angeles in 2016.

In 2016, Joel attended the 68th annual Emmy-Awards along with Ryan Murphy for Inside Look: American Crime Story: The People VS OJ Simpson, which they WON an Emmy for Short Form Non-Fiction Narrative. Joel was recently nominated for the 70th annual 2018 Primetime Emmy Awards for his work on Inside Look: American Crime Story: Versace. This time he did not win. Joel was also nominated for the 71st Emmy Awards for Pose: Identity, Family, Community. Again, he did not win.

Joel’s directed two narrative pieces for the Olympic Channel entitled “Game Breakers” spotlighting marginalized, minority athletes who’ve overcome life obstacles and won Olympic medals.

His web series “Almost Asian” co-created with his sister Katie Malia, explores the ethnic dichotomies and racial diversities prevalent in youth culture today and polaroids Katie's personal and professional struggles as she awkwardly attempts to maneuver through life as a half-Asian mix. Featured on PRI’s “the World,” The Washington Post, Fast Company and the Huffington Post.

Joel has directed music videos for Julianna Barwick ft. Jónsi (Sigur Rós), Dr. Octagon ft. Paul Banks (Interpol), LANY, the Knocks feat. Foster the People, Summer Moon (Nikolai Fraiture of the Strokes) and Gary Numan.

Joel's clients include Porsche, Nike, Microsoft, Adidas, Levis, Puma, Rothy's, FX Networks, Netflix, Micron, Elemis, Digitas Health, Merck, EHE Health, Abbvie, Comedy Central, Lululemon, MINI Cooper, RYOT Studio, IOC Olympic Channel, Warner Bros Records, W20Group, Universal Records, Columbia Records, Polydor Records, Sony Records, Ryan Murphy Television and more.

He's a Clio WINNER for Microsoft "Muse Simulation Theory VR Experience" and BRONZE Clio winner for Pose: Identity, Family, Community S2.

Joel lives in Echo Park dreaming of surfing Echo Park lake and is in constant search for the best taco trucks around.