Posted by At the 7th Annual Independent Shorts Awards, Japanese composer and filmmaker Taichi Kunigami shared his story in a unique way. Due to language barriers, instead of a traditional interview, he read a personal reflection prepared especially for the occasion — a moving introduction to his debut film Map of Time, delivered to the microphone of host Olivia Lyle (@olivialyle1) and captured on camera by Kyle Reed (@thekylereed).
Map of Time — Planting Seeds of Hope
Kunigami’s creative journey began in music. For many years he has worked as a musician, following a personal cycle of creativity: releasing music albums on new moons and developing films during full moons. This ritual, blending rhythm and reflection, gave rise to Map of Time, a deeply personal project that was honored in the monthly editions of the Independent Shorts Awards.
The series was inspired by the loss of his mother while living overseas. Out of that grief, he sought to create stories that could serve as “small seeds of hope for people navigating their darkest moments.” The film’s protagonist, Duna, embodies this theme, voicing the belief in “the courage to change what can be changed.”
A Debut in Cinema
Though already established in the music world, Kunigami describes Map of Time as his debut in filmmaking. He explained that the transition to cinema was motivated by a desire to help others rediscover their own life stories — stories that can be fragile, painful, yet also resilient. By weaving his personal loss into art, he hopes to encourage audiences to find courage, healing, and inspiration in the midst of hardship.
A Moment of Reflection
Kunigami’s reading was met with warm appreciation at the Independent Shorts Awards. While Map of Time was not part of the competition, his words resonated as a reminder of the universal bond between art, grief, and resilience.
Experience his reflection in full below.
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