[1] While a senior at Aoyama Gakuin University, Okuyama wrote, directed, and served as cinematographer and editor on the feature film Jesus, which depicts Jesus Christ as the imaginary friend of a grade schooler.

[2] The film debuted at the 2018 San Sebastián International Film Festival, where Okuyama was recognized with the Kutxabank-New Directors Award.

[3] In reviews for Jesus, critics noted the influence of Hirokazu Kore-eda on Okuyama's filmmaking.

[2][4] Okuyama would later collaborate with Kore-eda by directing episodes of the latter's Netflix series The Makanai: Cooking for the Maiko House.

The film follows the personal lives of ice skaters throughout the winter season.