The Toronto Japanese Film Festival 2021 is pleased to announce the 2021 KOBAYASHI AUDIENCE CHOICE AWARD goes to Miwa Nishikawa's UNDER THE OPEN SKY.
Starring Koji Yakusho in a career best performance, UNDER THE OPEN SKY is a poignant, touching film directed with great empathy and intelligence. Adapted from Naoki Prize-winning novelist Ryuzo Saki's Mibuncho.
James Heron festival Director said “Director Nishikawa's wonderful film received some strong competition from JOSE! JOSE MUJICA – JUST KEEP WALKING and MIO'S COOKBOOK but prevailed in the end. Congratulations Nishikawa-san and thank you for your consistently great filmmaking. We are already looking forward to your next film!”.
The KOBAYASHI AUDIENCE CHOICE AWARD is presented to the film chosen as the festival favorite by audiences based on ballots completed at the end of each screening.
The award is named in honour of Coby and Yone Kobayashi, a second-generation nikkei couple whose vision, generosity and tireless efforts over 50 years were essential to the creation and success of the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre. Mr. and Mrs. Kobayashi's community-mindedness and generosity of spirit supported and inspired the building of the Kobayashi Hall, the home of the Toronto Japanese Film Festival.
The GRAND JURY PRIZE winner, A GARDEN OF THE CAMELLIAS was previously announced. The powerful directorial debut from photographer YOSHIHIKO UEDA is a ravishingly beautiful examination of the exquisite transience of life. The Jury compared the film to the work of Mizoguchi and Ozu
From June 5 – 27, 24 official Festival selections, including the winning films, streamed to Canadian audiences on the Toronto Japanese Film Festival's online festival platform, Cinesend where viewership eclipsed 2021 festival levels.
The TORONTO JAPANESE FILM FESTIVAL's mandate has been carefully aligned with that of the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre. In the 57 years since the opening of the JCCC, film has been an important tool in creating friendship, understanding, and exchange between the Japanese and broader Canadian community. Ticket sales from the festival also help to drive our heritage programming which shares the important lessons of cultural acceptance and human rights, implicit in the Japanese Canadian experience with all Canadians.
Statement from Director Miwa Nishikawa – 2021 Kobayashi Audience Choice Award recipient:
“I understand that this year's Toronto Japanese Film Festival was held completely online and that Japanese living across Canada, as well as Canadians who are interested in Japanese film, were able to watch and cast their votes from many different regions. It is unfortunate that movie buffs were not able to gather in front of a theatre screen and enjoy the films together. Still, even as we remain separated during this continuing pandemic, people can cast their votes and share their excitement and enjoyment with the filmmakers. Their warm support is a great source of encouragement for me. Thank you for the Kobayashi Audience Choice Award. It has given me another opportunity to savour the joy I had in making the film.”
