A filmmaker Mayumi Yoshida is forging her own path with personal storytelling

Mayumi Yoshida is recently, receiving attention for her filmmaking - yet, as she tells that she started making films almost by chance. "I originally started acting as a performer" says Mayumi. "There weren't a lot of characters, and there weren't enough roles me deeply, genuinely loved within my existence that made me feel like"Oh, this is my reality.'" Therefore, when the chance was presented to raise money for a film with a shorter length, Mayumi stepped up - to not just play the role of a character, but also create the movie, which is a personal story.

"That resulted in a myriad of festival screenings,"" Says Mayumi. "It inspired me to feel like"Oh There's surely a lot more I can perform in my role as a storyteller, a filmmaker, in addition to being actors." Since then, Mayumi has continued to slowly expand her filmography, notably collaborating with artist Amanda Sum on artful music videos that challenge assumptions and challenge the limits of what is considered a genre.

"The most valuable advice I've received from another person was that they advised me that I should be accountable for my performance," says Mayumi. This means that she must be adamant about her efforts even when she is doubting herself. "Don't be unwilling to turn down other people for your own sake," she adds. "You feel like, 'Oh, but it's too late to make a difference. Oh, but I won't get in. Oh, but it's not happening.' No one has said this but. Actually, you've already told them. So let that go, take the shot and never ever. The shot is usually effective. out."

We got to chat with Mayumi shortly before her Staff Picked film "Different Than before" won the Jury Award for Best Music Video at the 2023 SXSW festival. Take a look at some highlights from our conversation in the video above, and then read the complete interview below.

   What are the themes that you will be returning to in your work?  

Mayumi the subjects I typically explore in my films is searching for identity, and often family drama. I think a lot of my films come from intimate locations. The family dynamics or stuck in between cultural, intergenerational, and multi-cultural themes are my style.

   What are your motives?  

Mayumi: One of the best things about cinema is that it continues to live forever. It tells a story, and you're now in a time capsule. And it'll continue to exist forever this is exactly what characters are experiencing when far away. As I've experienced I've watched a variety of films that were produced ahead of my time that have a profound impact on me. If I could be the one to create stories that can last forever, this became my mission after creating my own movies that I loved. I began to think, "Ooh, there's more to this. There's more than just sharing what I love passionately."

   Let us know what you thought of your Staff Pick experience.  

Mayumi The event was truly exhilarating. In my opinion, it had a significant impact for all, because the film was a crucial social message, and we truly wanted to make sure that the message reached a wider audience, not just because each of us put in the time to make it and it was needed when we were there at the time in the moment. The film premiered during Asian Heritage Month, so it's important that a lot of viewers could feel the impact of the message. Staff members also contributed to that, so I was very happy about that.

I was very acquainted in Staff Picks, and I just thought "Oh it's such a cool individuals group." I began to wonder "Oh is it me, and am I enough?" Now I realize that it's amazing friends that meet regularly. I'm honored to be in the circle.

   What's coming up to you?  

Mayumi: What's in store for me, is the debut film based off my first short film,"AKASHI. It's been an incredibly lengthy process and I'm extremely privileged to make this film. It's great to show this film at one events like these - as well as have it available to others , to come.

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