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

Mayumi Yoshida may be, as of late getting attention for her filmmaking - yet, as she tells it, she got into filmmaking almost on accident. "I originally started as an actor" claims Mayumi. "There weren't a lot of roles, and then there weren't enough roles that I truly, deeply enjoyed at the core of my being that made me feel like, 'Oh, this is my life.'" So, when an opportunity came up to raise funds for a film of a shorter length, Mayumi stepped up - to play not only a character but create the film, which is a personal story.

"That led to so many film festivals,"" Says Mayumi. "It made me feel like"Oh, there's definitely lots more I can do in my capacity as a storyteller, a filmmaker,' in addition to being actors." Since the time, Mayumi has continued to gradually expand her filmography, notably collaborating with artist Amanda Sum on artful music videos that challenge expectations and push the boundaries of genre style.

"The greatest advice I've received from a person else was when they told me to be accountable for my abilities," says Mayumi. That means fearlessly championing her work even when there is self-doubt. "Don't be afraid to say no to others for yourself," she adds. "You feel like, 'Oh, but it's not going to work yet. Oh, but I won't get in. Oh, but it's not going to happen.' Nobody has told you that yet. The truth is that you've already told them. So let that go, take the shot and never know. It is often successful. out."

We had a chance to sit down with Mayumi just before her Staff Picked film "Different Than Before" took home the Jury Award for Best Music Video at the 2023 SXSW festival. Take a look at the highlights from our chat in the clip above and then read the complete interview here.

 What are the themes you see you returning to throughout your job?

Mayumi: The themes that I often investigate in my films is the searching for identity, and usually family drama. I think a lot of my films come from intimate places. So, the family dynamics or stuck in between cultural, intergenerational, and multi-cultural are kind of my thing.

 What motivates you?

Mayumi: One among the greatest things about film is that it lives for ever. You tell a story and now it's like this time capsule. Then it will just live on forever, which is what these characters will experience when you're not in the vicinity. In my experience, I've seen numerous films that were made way prior to my birth  which affect me. If I was the medium to tell stories that could last forever it became my purpose after creating my own movies that I loved. I was thinking, "Ooh, there's more to this. There's a bigger call beyond just sharing what I love passionately."

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

Mayumi The experience was really thrilling. In my opinion, it had a significant impact on everyone, since this film had an important social message, and we really wanted this to reach a wider audience, not just because each of us worked hard on the film, but also because the message was something was needed when we were in that moment as well as. The film was released during Asian Heritage Month, so it really mattered that a lot of viewers saw and felt the message. The staff also, boosted that, so I was really happy with that.

I had been very familiar in Staff Picks, and I simply thought, "Oh, that's the coolest people group." It led me to think "Oh, am I worthy?" And now I think it's awesome friends who hang out. I'm honored to be in the circle.

 What's next for you?

Mayumi: What's coming up for me is my very first film that's based on my very first short film, AKASHI. It's been an extremely long road and I feel just thrilled that we get to film this. It's a great pleasure to present this at some of these cool festivals - and also share it with , in the future.