A filmmaker Mayumi Yoshida is forging her individual path through personal storytelling

Mayumi Yoshida is lately getting attention because of her work in filmmaking, but to hear her tell her story, she found herself filmmaking almost on accident. "I initially started out as an actor" claims Mayumi. "There was a lack of roles to choose from, and there wasn't enough roles I truly, deeply enjoyed at the core of my being that made me feel like"Oh, this is me.'" So, when an opportunity came up to secure funding to make a short film Mayumi stepped up - to not just play a role but also be the director - a deeply personal story.

"That led to so many film festivals,"" Says Mayumi. "It led me to feel, 'Oh, there's a lot more that I can do as a storyteller, as an artist, and not only just as acting." Since since then, Mayumi has continued to expand her film portfolio, notably collaborating with artist Amanda Sum on artful music videos that upend expectations and challenge the genre's structure.

"The greatest advice I've received from a person who was not me was the one that told me to own my talents," says Mayumi. That means fearlessly championing her work, even if it's amidst self doubt. "Don't be afraid to say no to yourself for others," she adds. "You think"Oh, it's too late to make a difference. Oh, but I won't get in. Oh, but it's unlikely to occur. No one has informed you this yet. It's been said to you. So let that go, shoot the shot, and you never know. The majority of the time, it works out."

We had a chance to chat with Mayumi just before the release of her Staff Picked film "Different Than before" took home the Jury Award for Best Music Video at the 2023 SXSW festival. Check out the highlights of our conversation in the video above, and read the full interview below.

 What are the themes you see yourself returning to over and over in your work?

Mayumi Mayumi: The themes that I often examine in my films are seeking identity and often involving family drama. I believe that a large portion of my films come from the personal, which means that there are relationships between families, or stuck in between cultural, intergenerational, and multi-cultural are kind of my thing.

 What keeps you going?

Mayumi The one of the best things about film is that it lives throughout time. You tell a story and you're like a capsule, and then it will just live on for eternity, just like the people who can experience even when you're no longer around. And I think I've seen numerous films that were produced prior to my birth  which affect me. If I were the medium to create stories that would continue to be told for a lifetime, that became sort of my goal after I made my own films that I really loved. I was thinking, "Ooh, there's more to this. There's a bigger call beyond just sharing my story of what I am passionate about."

 We would love to hear what you thought of your Staff Pick experience.

Mayumi: It was really, really exciting. In my opinion, it had a significant impact on all of us, because this film had a message for the social and we wanted it to have a reach, not only because all of us worked hard on it, but because this message was something that had to be delivered in the moment, as well as. And we released it in the midst of Asian Heritage Month, so it really mattered that many people watched it and saw the message. Staff, on the other hand, boosted that, so I really appreciated that.

I had been very familiar in Staff Picks, and I was thinking, "Oh, that's the coolest people group." It led me to think "Oh, am I worthy?" And now I just feel like it's just super cool people who hang out. I'm honored to be in the group.

 What's next for you?

Mayumi: What's coming up for me is my debut feature film based off my first short film, AKASHI. The journey has been long and I feel just thrilled that we actually get to film this. I'm really excited to show this at some of these cool festival and then be able to share it with my friends in the future.