Mayumi Yoshida’s debut feature Akashi has secured distribution in both Japan and Canada following its market presentation at the European Film Market in Berlin, marking a significant milestone for the Japanese-language drama as it begins its international rollout.
Tokyo-based distributor Rabbit House has acquired rights for a theatrical release in Japan, while Canadian indie outfit KinoSmith has taken all rights for the Canadian market. The deals were finalized shortly after the film screened on February 14 at CinemaxX 9 as part of the EFM lineup, where buyers and sales agents gather annually alongside the Berlin International Film Festival.
The early pickups underscore the cross-cultural appeal of Akashi, a multigenerational drama set between Vancouver and Tokyo. Written and directed by Yoshida, who also stars in the lead role, the film centers on Kana, a struggling artist living in Vancouver who returns to Tokyo for her grandmother’s funeral after a decade abroad. What begins as a homecoming soon becomes an emotional reckoning when Kana learns of a long-buried family secret: her grandfather had another lover, a revelation disclosed by her grandmother shortly before her death.
The discovery sets off a chain of reflection and confrontation, not only about her grandparents’ marriage but also about Kana’s own romantic and personal choices. While in Tokyo, she reconnects with Hiro, a former love, prompting her to reassess the life she has built overseas and the expectations she left behind. Through these intertwined narratives, Akashi examines the complexities of love, sacrifice and generational inheritance, particularly as experienced by women navigating family duty and personal ambition.
For Yoshida, the project represents a major creative step. A Japanese-born artist based in Canada, she transitions here into feature directing while maintaining a strong on-screen presence. The dual role suggests a deeply personal approach to the material, with the story drawing on themes of diaspora identity, displacement and the quiet tensions that can arise when returning to one’s country of origin after years away. The emotional tone is described as intimate and reflective, favoring character-driven storytelling over overt melodrama.
The involvement of Rabbit House signals confidence in the film’s domestic resonance. Known for handling independent and specialty titles in Japan, the Tokyo-based distributor plans a theatrical rollout that could position Akashi within the country’s arthouse circuit. The film’s exploration of familial secrets and intergenerational relationships may find particular traction with Japanese audiences familiar with the cultural nuances surrounding duty and emotional restraint.
In Canada, KinoSmith’s acquisition of all rights points toward a strategic release aimed at both arthouse audiences and diaspora communities. The company has built a reputation for distributing international and independent films across the Canadian marketplace, often employing platform release strategies that build word-of-mouth momentum. With its Vancouver setting and cross-cultural lens, Akashi carries clear appeal for Canadian viewers interested in stories that reflect multicultural realities.
The European Film Market has long served as a launchpad for independent filmmakers seeking global exposure. Running in parallel with the Berlin International Film Festival, the market is one of the world’s premier hubs for international sales and acquisitions. Securing distribution in two key territories shortly after its screening suggests that Akashi resonated strongly with buyers attending this year’s edition.
As the film moves toward theatrical releases in Japan and Canada, attention will likely turn to additional territories and festival opportunities. With its blend of cultural specificity and universal themes, Akashi enters the marketplace as a debut feature that bridges continents while grounding its story in intimate human experience. For Yoshida, the distribution deals mark not only a commercial breakthrough but also the beginning of what could be a promising new voice in cross-cultural cinema.
Read More:
