I am thrilled to share that Between Pictures: The Lens of Tamio Wakayama will have its World Premiere at the DOXA Documentary Film Festival in Vancouver on May 5, 2024 (with a second screening on May 9, 2024). The film is nominated for the Nigel Moore Award as part of DOXA’s Rated Y for Youth Program. The festival program notes reads:
Whether capturing the white-hot intensity of the civil rights movement in the mid-1960s or chronicling decades of Japanese-Canadian cultural identity at Vancouver’s Powell Street Festival, Tamio Wakayama’s camera immortalized simple acts of courage and indomitable spirits. His photographs humanized headlines, imbuing them with a “purposeful sense of joy” (as a former colleague eloquently describes them in this uplifting film). Director Cindy Mochizuki weaves together lively interviews, Wakayama's evocative imagery, and her own whimsical animation to unveil not just the artistry of a Vancouver photographer, but also a shared quest for cultural self-awareness and validation. Against the backdrop of Canada's complex history, Between Pictures celebrates the resilience and victories of marginalized Asian communities. -TA
Working on this film as a cinematographer and editor, with my long-time collaborator Cindy Mochizuki, was a true joy. I’m proud of being a part of the telling of this beautiful story.