Kaz Firpo

Matthew Kazuo Firpo is an American film director, screenwriter, and photographer. Along with his cousin, Ryan, he conceived the story for the Marvel Cinematic Universe film Eternals. His debut documentary Refuge won Best Documentary at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival, while also playing at SXSW.[1][2]

Kaz Firpo
Born
Matthew Kazuo Firpo

San Francisco, California, U.S.
Alma materNew York University
OccupationDirector
Photographer
Screenwriter

A graduate of the New York University Tisch School of the Arts, Firpo was named one of the Forbes 30 Under 30 in 2016.[3]

Early life

Firpo was born and raised in San Francisco, California, the youngest son of artists Claudia Katayanagi and Patrick Firpo, and brother of creative director Danny Firpo.[4] He attended Sir Francis Drake High School in Marin County. He then attended New York University, majoring in Film & Television and Classical Studies in the Tisch School of the Arts.[5]

Career

Firpo's worked as a commercial director and photographer included projects Tinder.[6] His work with Tinder earned him a spot in Adweek's 2015 top nine commercials of the year.[7]

Firpo's directorial debut, Refuge, documented various stories from the Syrian refugee crisis. The film was shot in Greece.[8][9] The film premiered at SXSW, and won Best Documentary at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival.[10] He has since worked with UNICEF, making a documentary series in Chiapas, Mexico and Kingston, Jamaica.[11]

His short film, Child's Play, starring Tony Award-winner David Alvarez, won Best Screenplay at the Beverly Hills Film Festival.[12]

Firpo's 2017 Black List-winning script, Ruin, co-written with his writing partner Ryan Firpo, had Margot Robbie attached, and Justin Kurzel set to direct.[13][14][15] His thriller Mimi from Rio was purchased by Netflix, and has Ridley Scott set to produce.[16]

In May 2018, it was announced that the Firpos were hired by Marvel Studios to write Eternals based on the Marvel Comics race of the same name, to be released as part of "Phase Four" of the MCU.[17] The film wrapped principal photography in February 2020, and is set for release in November 2021.[18] It was revealed in May 2021 that the film's director, Chloé Zhao, and Patrick Burleigh, would receive screenplay credit along with the Firpos, and that the Firpos would receive story credit.[19]

Filmography
  • Refuge (2017) - director, producer
  • Eternals (2021) - screenplay (with Chloé Zhao, Patrick Burleigh and Ryan Firpo), story (with Ryan Firpo)[19]

References
  1. Ahern, Sarah (2017-02-11). "Santa Barbara Film Festival Announces 2017 Award Winners". Variety. Retrieved 2017-05-14.
  2. "Refuge". South by Southwest. Archived from the original on March 10, 2017. Retrieved October 5, 2021.
  3. Rooney, Jennifer (January 4, 2016). "2016 30 Under 30: Marketing & Advertising". Forbes. Archived from the original on January 7, 2016. Retrieved October 5, 2021.
  4. "Barneville-Carteret : un réalisateur américain sublime la station balnéaire" (in French). Retrieved 2017-05-14.
  5. "Alum Named to Forbes 30 Under 30, LS". New York University. October 10, 2016. Archived from the original on April 18, 2017. Retrieved May 14, 2017.
  6. Nudd, Tim (March 4, 2015). "Ad of the Day: Tinder Plus Takes a Girl on Wild Adventures in Love, Sex and Travel". AdWeek. Retrieved March 3, 2020.
  7. Burgi, Michael (August 17, 2015). "Check Out 9 of the Year's Best Written, Directed and Produced Videos". AdWeek. Retrieved May 22, 2021.
  8. Frej, Willa (2016-05-26). "Refugees Passing Through Greece Share Their Tragedies In Heartwrenching Film". Huffington Post. Retrieved 2017-05-14.
  9. Werft, Meghan (September 13, 2016). "Filmmakers Travel From NYC to Greece, Uncovering The Human Side of The Refugee Crisis". Global Citizen.
  10. Ahern, Sarah (2017-02-11). "Santa Barbara Film Festival Announces 2017 Award Winners". Variety. Retrieved 2020-03-03.
  11. "In Jamaica, Local Heroes Help Kids Build Safer Futures". UNICEF USA. Retrieved May 14, 2017.
  12. Burgett, Heather (May 12, 2013). "13th Annual Beverly Hills Film Festival Announces Award Winners at Gala Awards Ceremony - Fest Expands to Japan". Splash Magazines. Archived from the original on August 5, 2013. Retrieved October 5, 2021.
  13. Hipes, Patrick (2017-12-11). "The Black List 2017 Screenplays: Post-WWII Tale 'Ruin' Is No. 1 – Full Rankings". Deadline. Retrieved 2018-02-16.
  14. "Justin Kurzel Attached to Direct Hot Spec "Ruin," Which Has Multiple Studio Offers (Exclusive)". The Tracking Board. 2017-03-31. Retrieved 2017-05-14.
  15. McNary, Dave (2017-10-11). "Margot Robbie, Matthias Schoenaerts to Star in World War II Thriller 'Ruin'". Variety. Retrieved 2017-10-12.
  16. Fleming, Mike Jr. (2017-12-05). "Netflix Wins Sci-Fi Spec Script 'Mimi From Rio'". Deadline. Retrieved 2018-02-16.
  17. Kit, Borys (May 15, 2018). "Marvel Sets Black List Writers for 'Eternals' Movie (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved May 20, 2018.
  18. "Marvel's Eternals Movie Has Finished Filming". ScreenRant. 2020-02-02. Retrieved 2020-03-03.
  19. Vary, Adam B. (May 24, 2021). "The 'Eternals' Trailer Finally Reveals How Chloé Zhao's Vision Will Fit in the MCU". Variety. Archived from the original on May 24, 2021. Retrieved May 24, 2021.

Firpo's photography work
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