Born in 1960, Hidenori Sugimori started shooting films while studying at Waseda University. His first film Grey (8mm,1981) was selected for the PIA Film Festival. After graduation, he worked for NHK broadcasting center as a director. Leaving NHK on his 30th birthday, he started his career as a freelance director and has directed over a hundred TV commercial films. Woman of Water is his first feature film.