Thumbprint (2026): Cast, Story and Release Details

Prepared by Movies Dock Editorial

Thumbprint is a 22-minute 2026 short centered on Japanese photographer Midori Shimoda. After being captured and interrogated by the FBI and US government, he recounts key moments from World War 2, including his escape from California and the internment camps while pursuing an American dream.

Thumbprint is a 2026 short film written and directed by Christopher Naoki Lee. The 22-minute drama follows Japanese photographer Midori Shimoda after his capture and interrogation by the FBI and US government.

From that framing, the film looks back at Shimoda’s experiences during World War 2, including his escape from California and the internment camps. Its story connects wartime displacement with his pursuit of an American dream.

Thumbprint movie details

Story without spoilers

The film centers on Midori Shimoda, a Japanese photographer whose account unfolds after he has been captured and questioned by the FBI and US government. As he retells pivotal moments from World War 2, the narrative turns toward his escape from California and the internment camps.

Shimoda’s recollections provide the film’s central structure, placing his personal struggle against the broader circumstances of wartime America. His goal is not simply to survive those experiences, but to continue searching for the American dream.

What to expect

Thumbprint is a compact historical drama with a 22-minute runtime and a story focused on wartime memory, government interrogation, escape and identity. The premise places Midori Shimoda at the center, with the narrative moving between his post-capture account and the events he remembers from World War 2.

The film’s short format suggests a focused presentation rather than an expansive historical chronicle. Its subject matter points to a serious, character-led story shaped by Shimoda’s experiences in California and the internment camps.

Cast and creative team

Steve Terada plays Midori Shimoda, the film’s central character. Troy Baker portrays Dan Shields, while Yuji Okumoto appears as Papa and Miki Ishikawa plays Setsuko.

Christopher Naoki Lee serves as both director and writer, making Thumbprint a film shaped by a single credited creative voice behind the camera and on the page.

• Steve Terada as Midori Shimoda
• Troy Baker as Dan Shields
• Yuji Okumoto as Papa
• Miki Ishikawa as Setsuko

Release and production context

Thumbprint is a 2026 short film with a listed release date of October 25, 2026. It has a runtime of 22 minutes. The supplied information does not specify a country, spoken language, production company or genre classification.

Thumbprint official trailer

Watch the official trailer on YouTube

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With its brief runtime and historical premise, Thumbprint offers a concentrated account of Midori Shimoda’s wartime experiences and his determination to pursue an American dream. The film’s focus on interrogation, escape and recollection gives its story a clear personal perspective without requiring a feature-length format.

Film data:
TMDB · IMDb