LOS ANGELES—The independent short film Kimi Kabuki and its director, Yoko Okumura, have received Best Asian American Student Filmmaker honors at the 20th Annual Directors Guild of America Student Film Awards. The film, which features scenes set at a faux “porn convention” and cameos by adult entertainers Alexa Aimes and Dillion Harper, also achieved its authentic look via set design assistance by the Exxxotica love, sex, and lifestyle expo.
"For those of us who are at the emerging stages of our career, it's such an inspiring and powerful thing to be recognized by a force like the DGA,” said Okumura. “I'm thankful that they take the time and resources to encourage us this way while we are working so hard to become the next leaders of this creative business. I can only hope this is just the beginning of my relationship with the Guild, and that years from now I can make them proud for having seen potential in me."
"I'm so grateful for my amazing thesis team; without them I would not have been able to make this film a reality,” she added. “There were also so many kind and generous people in the adult industry who donated their time, resources and products to make this ambitious convention set come true. People watch the film and think we shot in a real convention! That's a testament to my amazing production designer and the authenticity we got by working with real adult companies."
Kimi Kabuki is the story of communication between a woman and her husband. When Madeline discovers her husband is attending an adult industry convention without her knowledge, she follows him to confront him about his deceit. When Madeline's plans for a sincere conversation go terribly awry, a gentle act of kindness from a porn performer leads her to find solace in the last place she could have expected. The story, less about the negative connotations of the porn industry, broaches a topic much more serious: open communication, understanding, and compassion between husband and wife.
The Directors Guild of America Student Film Awards are designed to honor, encourage and bring attention to exceptional diverse directors in film schools and select universities across the country.
“It is our honor to shine a spotlight on these gifted young directors through the 20th Annual DGA Student Film Awards,” said DGA President Paris Barclay in an official statement. “The talent and promise demonstrated in their winning short films prove what the DGA has long believed, that exceptional filmmaking knows no boundaries. Congratulations to all of our awardees.”
The award-winning films were screened and the awards presented in a ceremony at the Directors Guild of America Theater in Los Angeles on Thursday, November 6. The official world premiere of Kimi Kabuki will take place at the end of January.
For more information about Kimi Kabuki, click here.
