'Akashi' Dominates Awards at Whistler Film Festival

At the Whistler Film Festival on Saturday, Mayumi Yoshida dominated the awards lineup with Akashi, her Japanese-language drama following a Vancouver artist who uncovers her grandmothers hidden past during a return trip to Tokyo. The film earned Yoshida multiple major honors, including best Canadian feature in the Borsos competition, best actor, best British Columbia director, and the Haebler Award for best feature.

While accepting the Haebler Award, Yoshida shared a translated Japanese poem, saying, If you wait, sunrise will appear beyond the ocean, adding that the long wait made the recognition especially meaningful.

Yoshida also received the award for best B.C. director. Reflecting on her journey, she noted that beginning her career as an actor once made directing accolades feel accidental, but she is now embracing the recognition with confidence.

The Canadian-Japanese filmmakers multigenerational love story has been gaining momentum throughout the festival circuit, previously winning best first feature at the 2025 Reel Asian Film Festival and securing the audience award at the Vancouver Film Festival.

Yoshida additionally claimed the best performance prize in the Borsos competition for her portrayal of Kana, a Vancouver artist who returns to Japan for her grandmothers funeral after a decade abroad and struggles to reconnect with her roots.

Cinematographer Jaryl Lim was honored with the best cinematography award for his work on Akashi.

Other festival winners included Chandler Levack, who earned best screenplay in the Borsos competition for Mile End Kicks, and Zacharias Kunuk, who won best direction in the same category for Wrong Husband.

The Haebler Award for best short film went to Setareh Saleh for For Dawn, which follows three Iranian teenagers as they confront the challenges of advocating for womens and human rights. The award for best short mountain culture film was presented to Beauty in a Fall, directed by Nat Segal.

The mountain culture feature award was given to The Art of Adventure, directed by Alison Reid. The film highlights the activism and lifelong friendship between wildlife artist Robert Bateman and biologist Bristol Foster.

The World Documentary Award went to Amalie Atkins for her debut film Agathas Almanac, centered on her aunts deep relationship with the natural world.

Author: Maya Henderson