Скачать или смотреть SANSEDAI (三世代) - Award Winning Documentary Short Film

Through intimate conversations over old photobooks and home movies from the 1930s, sansedai (三世代) explores themes of identity and belonging as it follows the filmmaker’s 92-year-old grandmother’s journey growing up during war, migrating to a country that was once deemed an enemy, and what it means to be Japanese-American.

Director’s Statement:
As a self-taught filmmaker, I was always drawn to the power of visual storytelling and fell in love with the medium of film. Shortly after graduating college, I took a leap of faith and moved to NYC to immerse myself in the film community. Now years later, I’ve worked my way up through the camera department in both NYC & LA and I am proud to share my first documentary short film, sansedai (three generations).

This film shares the very personal story of my grandmother growing up during the war in Japan before moving to the US in the 1950s amidst heightened racial tensions, especially towards Japanese people. My grandmother’s wedding kimono connects all three generations and tethers me to my ancestral heritage as I try to define what being Japanese-American means to me.

This timely documentary illuminates the lasting impacts of war and imperialism while sharing a first hand account of the uncertainties of migrating to a new country. As a proud granddaughter of immigrants, I hope this film resonates across generations and cultures as we continue to see the humanity in others.

If you would like to make a donation to help support this film & the incredible team that helped bring it to life, you can donate here: https://buymeacoffee.com/sansedai

written and directed by KAYLI KIMURA
featuring
YASUKO KIMURA
KIYOSHI KIMURA
KAYLI KIMURA
AMY WEISS

produced by VISUAL COMMUNICATIONS & KAYLI KIMURA
cinematography by KAYLI KIMURA
editor KAYLI KIMURA
original music by MIRELLE CABANGBANG & JENNIFER CLEMENA-MAGAT
associate producer AKINYEMI
additional camera AKINYEMI
sound editor MICAH GARRIDO
sound mixer AKINYEMI
recording engineer AKINYEMI
colorist KAYLI KIMURA
kimono dresser AKANE MASHIMO

archival footage by
KIYOSHI & YASUKO KIMURA
KIMURA GREAT-GRANDFATHER
TANAKA GREAT-GRANDFATHER

Thank you for instilling filmmaking in my genes.

special thanks
AWC 2024 COHORT
VISUAL COMMUNICATIONS
VEIALU AILA-UNSWORTH
ASAVARI KUMAR
AMY WEISS
LISA KIMURA
KENNY KIMURA
DANNY WEISS
AKINYEMI
FUJIFILM

the armed with a camera fellowship is sponsored in part by grants from
SONY PICTURES ENTERTAINMENT
LOS ANGELES COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF ARTS AND CULTURE
ELIZABETH SUNG MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP FUND
NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE ARTS
CALIFORNIA ARTS COUNCIL

in loving memory of my father
DAVID WEISS
1951-2021

© 2024 Kayli Kimura and Visual Communications


More info & stay updated on the film: https://kaylikimura.com/sansedai
follow on instagram:   / sansedai  
Stay up to date with Kayli:   / kaylikimura  


Awards:
Winner, Best Documentary Short, Barbados Independent Film Festival, 2025
Winner, Grand Jury Award, Best Documentary Short Film, Houston Asian American Pacific Islander Film Festival, 2025
Winner, Audience Award, Best Documentary Short Film, Houston Asian American Pacific Islander Film Festival, 2025

Screenings:
VC Film Festival (formerly Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival), World Premiere // Los Angeles, CA // 2024
Silicon Valley Asian Pacific FilmFest, Bay Area Premiere //2024
Philly Asian American Film Festival, Philadelphia Premiere // 2024
Boston Japan Film Festival, Massachusetts Premiere // 2024
FilmGood Festival // Los Angeles, CA // 2024
Barbados Independent Film Festival, International Premiere, Winner Best Documentary Short // Bridgetown, Barbados // 2025
DisOrient Asian American Film Festival of Oregon // Oregon Premiere // 2025
Washington, DC International Film Festival // DC Premiere // 2025
Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival // Los Angeles, CA // 2025
Houston Asian American Pacific Islander Film Festival, Opening Night, Texas Premiere [WINNER - Grand Jury Award & Audience Award for Best Documentary Short] // Houston, TX // 2025
Oakland Short Film Festival // Oakland, CA // 2025
Bravemaker Film Festival // Redwood City, CA // 2025

Press:
Visual Communications: https://vcmedia.org/latest-news/2024/...
Inside Out Podcast with Yhá Mourhia Wright Live at Bravemaker Film Festival:    • Kayli Kimura on Identity, Family Archives ...  

Press Kit available upon request.
Contact: [email protected]

SANSEDAI was made as part of the 2024 Armed with a Camera Fellowship. The Armed with a Camera Fellowship is awarded by Visual Communications, a non-profit organization whose mission is to develop and support the voices of Asian American & Pacific Islander filmmakers who empower communities and challenge perspectives. For more information about Visual Communications and the Armed with a Camera Fellowship, visit: https://vcmedia.org/awc

sub count: 39

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