Mayumi Yoshida’s ‘Akashi’ Dominates Whistler Film Festival Awards
UPDATE: Mayumi Yoshida’s film Akashi has just swept major awards at the Whistler Film Festival, marking a monumental achievement for the Canadian-Japanese director. On December 2, 2023, Yoshida received accolades including Best Canadian Feature in the Borsos competition, Best Actor, and Best B.C. Director, solidifying her film’s impact in the cinematic landscape.
The gripping drama tells the story of a Vancouver artist who returns to Tokyo to uncover her grandmother’s secrets. “It’s such an honor. Maybe I might say a poem, because I’m inspired,” Yoshida expressed, translating a poignant Japanese poem during her acceptance speech. “’If you wait, sunrise will appear beyond the ocean.’ We’ve been waiting so long, so thank you very much,” she added while receiving the Haebler Award for Best Feature.
In a remarkable display of talent, Yoshida also won the Best British Columbia Director award, reflecting her journey from a budding director to a celebrated filmmaker. “I started out as a director, and getting director awards always makes me feel like it’s an accident. But I’m starting to believe that I don’t have to feel that way,” she noted as she returned to the stage.
Earlier, Akashi garnered the Best First Feature Film prize at the 2025 Reel Asian Film Festival and won the Audience Award at the Vancouver Film Festival. Yoshida’s performance as Kana, a struggling artist feeling alienated after ten years abroad, has resonated deeply with audiences.
In a related win, Jaryl Lim received the Best Cinematography award for his work on Akashi, underscoring the film’s visual storytelling prowess. The festival also recognized Chandler Levack with the Best Screenplay award for Mile End Kicks and Zacharias Kunuk for Best Direction for Wrong Husband.
Other notable awards included Setareh Saleh‘s short film For Dawn, which won the Haebler Award for Best Short, showcasing the challenges faced by three teenage girls in Iran as they advocate for women and human rights. The Best Short Mountain Culture Film went to Beauty In a Fall, directed by Nat Segal, while The Art of Adventure, directed by Alison Reid, took home the Best Feature in the Mountain Culture Film category, highlighting the activist bond between wildlife artist Robert Bateman and biologist Bristol Foster.
The prestigious World Documentary Award was awarded to Amalie Atkins for her debut documentary, Agatha’s Almanac, which explores the intricate connection between the director’s aunt and nature.
As the festival concludes, the spotlight on Yoshida and her remarkable achievements with Akashi continues to grow, inspiring filmmakers and audiences alike. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story and its impact on the film industry.
