Anohi (That Day): Short Film

Anohi (あの日), meaning "That Day," is a deeply personal short film project led by director Lilia Miki, a Japanese-Canadian filmmaker based between Vancouver and Tokyo. Drawing from her background in documentary, Lilia crafts stories rooted in real-life experiences, focusing on the quiet, unspoken moments that shape our lives. The film is inspired by personal family experiences and explores how our perceptions of legacy and connection can shift over time, especially when faced with the reality of loss.

The story centers on a fleeting encounter on a train, where a carefree teenage boy is forced to confront what he never expected to feel at fifteen: the quiet fear of a forgotten life. This project was selected as a finalist for the Mighty Asian Moviemaking Marathon (MAMM), presented by the Vancouver Asian Film Festival (VAFF). With your support, we plan to create two versions of the film: an ultra short for the MAMM competition and a director’s cut for further festival distribution.

Lilia’s work often centers on the complexities of family, love, grief, and memory, inviting viewers to reflect on the impact of small moments and the ways we are remembered by those around us. Through "Anohi," she asks how we begin to live a life that means something, even if that meaning is only found in fleeting connections. The film aims to leave audiences with questions that linger about what it means to live, to let go, and to leave something behind.

Funds raised will support every stage of the film’s creation, from travel and equipment to labor, food, post-production, and festival distribution. With a target completion date of July 27, your support will help bring this honest and intimate story to life, championing both the power of family and the importance of independent filmmaking. Every contribution helps us share a story that lingers long after the credits roll.

Every contributor will be thanked in the credits of both cuts of the film! Guaranteed Screening at MAMM!

Director's remarks:

Thank you so much for your support in this film and project. I am so beyond excited and cannot begin to explain the gratitude I feel for those who have supported me on my journey as a director thus far. This is truly only the beginning and I will without a doubt, make you proud.

Love, Lilia