SINCE 2015
IN THE MEDIA
Awards
2022 San Diego Latino FILM Festival Audience Award - Best Documentary
2021 Sunscreen Film Festival - Best Documentary
2021 IIFC - Best Director and Best Documentary
2021 World Music & Independent Film Festival - Best Documentary
2019 Cinequest - Audience Award Best Documentary
2019 L.A. Edge Film Awards Best Documentary Feature
2016 Winter fest awards - Best Documentary Feature
2015 Asian Pacific American Film - Best Documentary and Audience Award
2015 Canada International Film Festival - Raising Star Award
2015 Action On film Fest - Best Documentary Feature, Best Editing & Best Director
2015 Arizona Underground Film Festival - Best Documentary Feature
2014 TELLY WINNER - Local T.V. Commercial
2013 TELLY WINNER - Local T.V. Commercial
Interviews
CBS - Great Day LIVE with Director Kevin Derek
ABC - Morning Blend with Director Kevin Derek and Evelyn Morita
TODAY Show with Director: Kevin Derek
VIEW OF THE ARTS Written and interviewed by Maggie Gogler
DO YOU REMEMBER - The Tragic Story of ‘Happy Days’ Star Pat Morita Revealed in New Documentary
TV RETROVISION - Director Kevin Derek, 'More Than Miyagi: The Pat Morita Story'
VOICES FROM KRYPTON - Filmmaker Kevin Derek on ‘The Karate Kid’ Star Pat Morita
TALKING PICTURES - Kevin Derek & Don Most
THE RALPH REPORT - Interview with Kevin Derek
MATT"S MOVIE REVIEWS Interview with Kevin derek
DEN OF GEEK - More Than Miyagi Director On Honoring Pat Morita
REVIEW NATION - Director Kevin Derek & wife Evi Morita
PACIFIC CITIZEN (Japanese American Citizens League Magazine)
CHATFLIX PODCAST (Australia) Episode 264 Interview with Kevin Derek
CINEMA SAVVY (UK) Interview with Kevin Derek
KSNV Derek Sante talks with director of 'More than Miyagi'
Kung Fu Kingdom (USA) Janurary 2018 by: Ramon Youseph
Black Belt Magazine (USA) March 2017 by: Patrick Xavier,
Los Angeles Times 9 January 2014, by: Michael Miller, "Moviemaker looking to sweep the board"
Tae Kwon Do Times - Page 25-27 Volume 36 No.6 Issue 214
Budo International May 2014, Issue. May, pg. 78-103, by: Don Warrener, "The Real Miyagi"
Black Belt Magazine (USA) December 2010, Vol. 48, Iss. 12, pg. 73-76, by: Patrick Xavier, "Empty Hand"
Articles
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY - Exclusive
YAHOO! More Than Miyagi trailer: New documentary explores Pat Morita's life and career
YAHOO! NEWS - Documentary on Iconic Actor Pat Morita Explores His Struggles With Depression
DAILY MAIL - The Karate Kid's Pat Morita and his iconic character
ET CANADA - The Late Pat Morita’s Life Beyond ‘The Karate Kid’ Revealed In ‘More Than Miyagi’ Documentary Trailer
Martial Arts Guardian (USA) March 2015, Vol. #1, Issue. #1, pg. 16-21, by: Steve Rowe, "The Real Mr. Miyagi"
OC Weekly (USA) 20 February 2015 "The Real Miyagi Honors Martial Arts Legend With Two Screenings Tonight"
OC Weekly (USA) January 2013, Vol. 17, Issue. 20, pg. 30, by: Matt Coker, "Hidden Gems"
OC Weekly (USA) January 20, 2014,Irvine international film festival brings indie flair to Laguna
O.C. Register (USA) Irvine International Film Fest has grown bigger, more selective
L.A. Times (USA) February 27, 2015 by Michael Miller
Meridian Booster 11 May 2015, by: Simon Arseneau, "Real Mr. Miyagi gets his story on screen"
O.C. Register (USA) 11 January 2012, by: SAMANTHA SCHAEFER, "Irvine International Film Festival launches"
Studio Photography (USA) 1 April 2006, Vol. 9, Iss. 4, pg. 10-13, "Cinematic Celebrations"
Hollywood Scriptwriter (USA) April 2005, Vol. 25, Iss. 2, pg. 25 & 25, by: David Allen Rigsby, "The Trap"
Indie Slate (USA) 2005, Vol. 9, Iss. 40, pg. 20 & 21, by: Sam Chouia, "Falling into the Trap"
Reviews
POPBREAK (UK) Review ‘More than Miyagi: The Pat Morita Story’ is a Touching and Intimate Tribute
CHICAGO SUN TIMES - ‘More Than Miyagi’ waxes poetic about Pat Morita’s charms and struggles
ABC 4/Good Things Utah - Plan your weekend with movie reviews
WGN AMERICA - ‘More Than Miyagi’ explores complex life of Pat Morita
KGUN 9 (Tucson, AZ) - 'More Than Miyagi' doc unveils the man behind 'Karate Kid' legend
BLEEDING COOL - More Than Miyagi: The Pat Morita Story Chronicles Actor's Life
THE HOLLYWOOD NEWS (UK) ‘More Than Miyagi: The Pat Morita Story’ Review; Dir. Kevin Derek (2021)
L.A. TIMES 'Travel Ban' tackles intolerance through humor - Gary Goldstein
Film Treat 9 out of 10 - Bobby LePire
Screen Picks "Entertaining from the get go" - Ian Murphy
Tae Kwon Do Life Magazine "The Real Miyagi is masterful storytelling that has something for everyone"
The Daily Beast "A new documentary looks back at Demura's astonishing, influential life"
Meniscus Magazine "I highly recommend this film" -Paul Kazee
Examiner "Brilliant Film". "5 Stars" -Bobby Blakey -Dallas Movie Examiner
TKD Life Magazine "Empty Hand"
KnockOut Magazine " Empty Hand"
AXS "Empty Hand"
Senshin: The Enlightened Mind
Fantasia 2015 "The Real Miyagi" "The Real Miyagi is a superb documentary"- Eric S. Boisvert
Rafu Shimpo L.A. Japanese Daily News 2016
SAAFF "Kevin Derek did a fantastic job"
Reseda Daily News "I think any Karate Kid fan needs to see this documentary"
TK Times "Riveting Documentary" -Robert Barnes
Magazine Cover
Payam Ashena (USA) December 2015, Vol. 26, Issue. 310
Studio Photography (USA) 1 April 2006, Vol. 9, Iss. 4, pg. 10-13, "Cinematic Celebrations