My Sunshine (Boku no Ohisama / ぼくのお日さま)

Directed by Hiroshi Okuyama
Starring Keitatsu Koshiyama, Kiara Takanashi, Sôsuke Ikematsu

On a small Japanese island, life revolves around the changing seasons. Winter is time for ice hockey at school, but the young Takuya isn’t too thrilled about it. His real interest lies in Sakura, a figure skater from Tokyo and a rising star for whom he starts to develop a genuine fascination. Coach and former champion Arakawa spots potential in Takuya, and decides to mentor him to form a duo with Sakura for an upcoming competition. While winter persists, the two children form a harmonious bond – but the snow is destined to melt away.

In My Sunshine, director Hiroshi Okuyama offers a subtle critique of the social expectations surrounding gender and sexuality, poetically evoking the joy of childhood emotions and the struggle for acceptance.

Screening as part of Queer East On the Road 2025, a nationwide touring season taking place from October to December in 15 cities across the UK.

Queer East is a cross-disciplinary festival that showcases boundary-pushing LGBTQ+ cinema, live arts, and moving image work from East and Southeast Asia and its diaspora communities.

queereast.org.uk