Growing up in Burien, Nuk Suwanchote discovered his passion for filmmaking at a young age. Armed with a digital camera and a natural flair for storytelling, he began creating movies with his brothers, Note and Nut, when he was just 12-years-old.

Now, years later, Suwanchote is a seasoned filmmaker, with his work having made waves in the Pacific Northwest and beyond.

Suwanchote – an Emmy award-winning Thai-American filmmaker – has expertise in cinematography, directing, editing and acting in both narrative and commercial work. A graduate of the University of Washington with a focus on video production and economics, he has played a key role in successful campaigns for major clients like Amazon, the Seattle Seahawks, and King County.

“I realized that with a digital camera, I could shoot and edit movies all by myself, which felt like I could really create something meaningful,” Suwanchote told The B-Town Blog. The ability to mold reality into an art piece, he notes, was both fulfilling and rewarding, motivating him to take his craft to a larger stage.

Though Suwanchote’s journey began with filming weddings and music videos, his work has since evolved to focus on narrative storytelling, with his most recent project, An Old Friend, tackling themes of loss and memory. The film features an imaginary friend, portrayed by Power Rangers alum Jason Faunt, who seeks to bring joy to his now 90-year-old “child,” played by veteran Northwest actor Tom Skerritt.

“The loss of a very important loved one motivated me to make this film,” Suwanchote said. “The grief was so intense that it really exemplified how precious life is and the moments we have together.”

Growing up in the small town of Burien has also deeply influenced Suwanchote’s work.

“In a small, diverse town like Burien, I approach people and projects with sincerity,” he said. “I don’t see life as a vast, unpopulated world but as a rich, tight-knit community.”

This perspective often finds its way into his films, which explore themes of family — particularly the dynamics between parents and siblings.

One of the biggest challenges Suwanchote has faced as an independent filmmaker is the lack of a clear path or mentorship growing up. But his determination paid off through experiences like participating in the 48-Hour Film Project and the Burien International Film Festival. These opportunities, Suwanchote says, were “trials by fire” that helped him grow as a filmmaker.

Despite these challenges, Suwanchote is optimistic about the growth of the Pacific Northwest film community. He points to Harbor Island Studios as a key contributor to the region’s burgeoning film scene, citing the studio’s affordability and support for independent filmmakers. Suwanchote and his team have frequented the studio more than any other production company, using it to showcase local talent and bring PNW artists to global platforms like the Cannes Film Festival and the Seattle Film Summit.

As a filmmaker of Thai descent, Suwanchote’s cultural background informs much of his work.

“Thai food and Thailand are so popular, yet audiences know so little about Thai people and culture,” he said. It’s his mission to change that by bringing authentic Thai stories to the screen.

For aspiring filmmakers, especially those from smaller cities like Burien, Suwanchote has one piece of advice:

“Don’t stop making films. Don’t wait for anyone. It’s a small town, and no one here will hand you a career like in Hollywood.”

Looking ahead, Suwanchote is excited about his upcoming project, Thai Guys, which he hopes will take center stage.

“We’re planning to pitch it to networks so it can be seen all over the world,” he said.

His goal is to bring joy and laughter to audiences while raising awareness of Thai culture in an entertaining way.

As Suwanchote continues to bring stories from Burien to the world, his passion for filmmaking and commitment to showcasing Thai culture remain at the heart of his work. As they say in Thai, “ขอให้โชคดี” (khaw hai chok dee) — may good luck and success follow him on every step of his cinematic journey!