Naomi Funabashi

Naomi Funabashi is the President of Film & Television at Hillman Grad Productions, a full-service media and production company founded by Emmy® Award-winning writer, producer, and actor Lena Waithe in 2018.1 In her role, Funabashi oversees the film and television division of the company, which has produced notable projects such as Showtime's "The Chi," BET's "Twenties," and Universal's "Queen & Slim".1

Career Background

Funabashi has a diverse work experience in the entertainment industry.4 Prior to her current position, she served as the Head of Film & Television at Hillman Grad Productions. Her promotion to President of Film and Television was announced in July 2022, as part of a series of executive appointments at the company.3

Education and Location

Naomi Funabashi's educational background includes studying at the University of Oxford.2 She is currently based in Los Angeles, California.25

Role at Hillman Grad Productions

As President of Film & Television, Funabashi plays a crucial role in Hillman Grad's mission to empower underrepresented artists and amplify diverse voices in the entertainment industry.1 The company has been involved in producing award-winning content, including:

• The Emmy-nominated documentary "Being Mary Tyler Moore"
• "A Thousand And One," which won the Grand Jury Prize at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival
• "Kokomo City," recipient of the NEXT Audience Award and NEXT Innovator Award at Sundance 2023
• Disney+'s "Chang Can Dunk"

Funabashi's leadership contributes to Hillman Grad's growing influence in the entertainment landscape, as the company continues to develop and produce content across various platforms and genres.1