Filmmaker Mayumi Yoshida is forging her own path in the world of personal storytelling

Mayumi Yoshida is currently getting noticed for her role in the field of filmmaking. But according to her story, she got into the field of directing by chance. "I first started as an actor" claims Mayumi. "There were not many opportunities, and then there wasn't enough roles that I truly, deeply enjoyed at the core of my being and that made me feel"Oh I'm me.'" When the chance came up to secure funding for a film of a shorter length, Mayumi was able to not only take on a character as a performer, but play the role of director for of a personal narrative.

"That is what has brought about various festival festivals for film,"" According to Mayumi. "It inspired me to feel like"Oh There's so much more I could be doing as a storyteller, as an artist and more than just acting." Since then, Mayumi has continued to develop her film skills and she has also collaborated with the artist Amanda Sum on artful music videos that challenge expectations and push the boundaries of the genre.

"The most valuable advice I've ever received from any other person was the one that told me to own my capabilities," says Mayumi. That means fearlessly championing her work, even if you're struggling with self-doubt. "Don't be unwilling to turn down the world for yourself," she adds. "You think"Oh it's fine, it's not going to be effective at this point. Oh, but I won't get in. It's not likely to occur. There's been no announcement about the possibility. You've heard it said. So, just let it run. Shoot the shot and who knows. This is typically success. out."

We had the opportunity to chat with Mayumi in the days before the official publication of her staff Picked video "Different than Before" was awarded with the Jury Award for Best Music Video during the 2023 SXSW festival. Check out the highlights of our chat in the above video and then go through the entire interview below in the piece.

   What are some of the topics you see yourself returning to in your work?  

Mayumi Mayumi: The topics I frequently investigate in my films is the pursuit of identity. It is often a family drama. The majority of my films originate from intimate locations. The relationships among families, or being stuck among cultures, intergenerational and multi-cultural, are exactly what I am looking for.

   How do you keep going?  

Mayumi One great thing about film is the fact that they exist all the time. The story you tell you're as if it's a container. However, it'll live on forever, much like the people who are experiencing even when you're not in the vicinity. It seems like I've watched several films before my time and they affect my everyday life. If I could be an instrument of telling stories that could continue to be told over the course of a lifetime I was able to fulfill my mission after making my own films that I thoroughly loved. I thought, "Ooh, there's more to this. It's more beyond just sharing my story of my passions."

   Let us know how you felt about your Staff Pick experience.  

Mayumi The experience was a real thrill. It really had a significant impact on all of us, because this movie had an important social message, and we truly wanted to see it be a success not just because all of us invested a lot of work into the movie and it was a message that had to be delivered in the moment, and still. And we released it on the occasion of Asian Heritage Month, so it was important that lots of people could see the movie and experienced it. Staff members also contributed to this, so I was very happy about that.

I was very familiar with the people with Staff Picks, and I thought to myself, "Oh, that's the awesome group of individuals." I began to wonder "Oh should I be able to be among them?" Now I feel that it's all just cool friends who hang out. I'm really happy to be a part this community.

    What's next?  

Mayumi Mayumi: The next thing I'll do is my first feature film based off my very first short film, AKASHI. It's been a very lengthy process and I'm happy that we get to create this. It's an absolute pleasure to be able to show this at one of these cool festivals and to have it shared with others to the next.

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