Help us bring a culturally authentic and psychologically rich BESEA narrative to the global stage.

We are raising funds to take OYAKODON, a haunting British-Japanese short, into a fully realised feature film, and to pitch it internationally at the Cannes Film Festival 2026.

The Story:

OYAKODON follows Yuri, a British-Japanese woman living in an isolated coastal town with her emotionally dependent mother, whose fragile sense of identity begins to fracture after she encounters a mysterious Japanese woman who resembles the Yuki-onna (the “Snow Woman”) from a traumatic childhood memory in Japan. As the town prepares for Beltane, Yuri is drawn into a space where the liminal rituals of Celtic tradition blur with the quiet, haunting logic of Japanese ghost stories. Suspended between two mythologies, one of fire and one of snow, this cross-cultural film becomes an unsettling, sensorial meditation on how grief and female suffering are reshaped into legend- and what is dangerously reborn in the process.

Why It's Important:

British East and Southeast Asian (BESEA) stories remain profoundly underrepresented both on screen and behind the camera.

This project changes that.

A British-Japanese female-led story- rare in the horror genre

A creative team rooted in lived experience and cultural authenticity

A narrative that bridges East and West, folklore and contemporary identity

Director Georgie Yukiko Donovan, a BAFTA Elevate filmmaker and advocate for BESEA voices, has built her career around amplifying underrepresented perspectives.

Writer Mika Ōgai brings a deeply personal exploration of mythology, language, and mixed-heritage identity, grounded in Japanese folklore and diaspora experience.

OYAKODON is produced by Story Compound, an award-winning production company whose documentary The Medallion screened at over 40 festivals and was shortlisted for major international awards.

With backing from the BFI and collaboration with leading Japanese studio Kadokawa, the project is already positioned for international success.

Now, we need your help to take it further.

Why We’re Fundraising

We are raising funds to support the crucial next stage of the film’s journey:

Cannes Film Festival Launch

Hosting a high-profile industry event to bring together press, financiers and global collaborators

Showcasing the film at a moment when Japan is the Country of Honour

Festival Strategy

Submissions to major festivals (Cannes, Sundance, BFI London Film Festival)

Travel and accommodation

Building international visibility and momentum

Publicity & Marketing

Press campaigns and media outreach

Trailer, promotional materials, and digital marketing

Positioning the film for global distribution

Community & Industry Impact

Creating spaces for BESEA creatives

Building long-term opportunities for underrepresented voices

Expanding the short into a feature with international backing

How You Can Help

Your support will directly fund:

Our Cannes launch event

Festival submissions and travel

Marketing and publicity campaigns

The development of the feature film

Every contribution- no matter the size helps bring this story to life and ensures BESEA voices are seen, heard, and celebrated globally.

Be Part of Something Bigger

This is not just about one film.

It’s about:

Changing who gets to tell stories

Expanding representation in global cinema

Building a future where BESEA creatives thrive

Donate. Share. Be part of the journey.