ABOUT & CONTACT

Writer | Producer | Creator | Educator

Koji Steven Sakai is a screenwriter, producer, novelist, and podcast creator whose work spans film, television, books, and audio. He is the founder of Little Nalu Pictures LLC and has written and produced projects released on Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, Peacock, and other platforms.

Feature Films

Sakai has written 12 feature films across genres, including the action thrillers Damaged, starring Samuel L. Jackson and Vincent Cassel; Boneyard, starring Mel Gibson and 50 Cent; and The Commando, starring Mickey Rourke and Michael Jai White. His other screenwriting credits include Skeletons in the Closet, starring Terrence Howard and Cuba Gooding Jr.; Nyctophobia; Haunted Highway; and the independent comedy The People I’ve Slept With.

Television & Unscripted Production

Sakai served as a staff writer on the Japanese drama series House of the Owl, released on Disney+ and Hulu. He is also the co-creator and executive producer of Comedy InvAsian, a stand-up comedy series showcasing Asian American comedians. The series has appeared on Hulu, Peacock, and Amazon Prime Video. His producing credits also include a comedy special for Netflix.

Podcasting & Audio Drama

Sakai’s audio work includes scripted fiction, comedy, pop culture, and history. His narrative audio drama Elucidity reached #1 on Apple Podcasts’ Fiction chart. His more recent narrative thriller, The Red Room, also reached #1 on the chart.

His other podcast projects include The Unofficial Official Story, Japanese America, Un-History, and What If Pop. Through these projects, he has explored everything from fictional mysteries and thrillers to Japanese American history and pop culture.

Books & Graphic Novels

Sakai has written novels and graphic novels in a variety of genres. His books include Romeo & Juliet Vs. Zombies, Zombie Run, and Secession. His graphic novels include 442, about the Japanese American 442nd Regimental Combat Team, and Santa Vs. Zombies. His published work also includes short fiction and contributions to anthologies, including Secret Identities: The Asian American Superhero Anthology and New Frontiers: The Many Worlds of George Takei.

Teaching, Fellowships & Background

Sakai teaches screenwriting at UCLA Extension. He has also taught at the University of Southern California, Chapman University, New York Film Academy, and International Technological University. His professional experience includes serving as a screenwriting judge for the Humanitas Prize and participating in Film Independent’s Project: Involve and the Producers Guild of America’s Power of Diversity Workshop.

He holds a Master of Professional Writing from the University of Southern California and a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of California, Santa Barbara.

Sakai lives in Southern California with his wife, son, and dog.