Masakazu Kaneko

is a Japanese film director.

Kaneko's film Ring Wandering won Golden Peacock best film award at 52nd International Film Festival of India in November 2021.

Career In 2016 Masakazu's first directed-feature The Albino's Trees, was screened as an international premiere in the Beijing International Film Festival, China. In 2017 it was also screened in the 4th Figueira Film Art (the Figueira da Foz International Film Festival), Portugal and awarded the Best Feature, Best Direction, Best Picture.

His second feature Ring Wandering (2021) won the Golden Peacock Best Film Award at the 52nd International Film Festival of India (Goa) and the Ecumenical Jury Commendation Award at the 37th Warsaw Film Festival, Poland.

His third feature River Returns (2024) won the Youth Jury Award for Best Feature Film of the Official Section - RETUEYOS International Competition at the 62nd Gijón International Film Festival (Gijón, Spain) and won the Orient Express Best Film Award at the 45th Porto International Film Festival (Fantasporto 2025), Portugal.

Selected filmography The Albino's Trees (2016) Ring Wandering (2021) River Returns (2025) Sleeping in the Red Earth (2027)

Awards and nominations

Year Award ceremony Category Work Result 2016 6th Beijing International Film Festival Forward Future SectionThe Albino's Trees 2017 4th Figueira film Art (Figueira da Foz International Film Festival) Best FeatureBest DirectionBest Picture 2021 37th Warsaw Film Festival Ecumenical Jury Commendation AwardRing Wandering 52nd International Film Festival of India Golden Peacock (Best Film) 2022 43rd Durban International Film Festival Best Screenplay 2023 22nd Independent Days International Film Festival Indie Award(Best Feature) 2024 62nd Gijón International Film Festival Youth Jury Award for the Best Feature FilmRiver Returns 2025 45th Fantasporto Official Competitive Section Orient Express Grand Prize 17th Lighthouse International Film Festival Narrative Features Competition for the Best Narrative Film 14th Toronto Japanese Film Festival Special Mention Award 23rd Ischia Film Festival Best Cinematography Award 11th Transmutación Festival de Cine Contemporáneo Best Feature Film Official Selection Oculus Aurora 30th Rabat International Author Film Festival Best Script Award 11th Festival Cinemistica Special Mention 43rd Fajr International Film Festival Crystal Simorgh for the Special Jury Award 19th KINOTAYO Festival du cinéma japonais contemporain en France Jury Award