“Tokito: the 540-day Journey of a Culinary Maverick” (feature documentary, 2024)
WATCH | imdb
Dir. Aki Mizutani
Prod. Masashi Nozaki / Storeal Inc.
Filmed w/ ARRI Amira + Leica R
ABOUT
After working with Aki on a small commercial shoot near the end of 2021, just a couple months later she invited me to join what would soon become the adventure of a lifetime. Over the next 18 months, every month or so we would travel to somewhere in Japan while following acclaimed 2-time Michelin-starred chef Yoshinori Ishii, as he sourced only the best sustainable ingredients for his new restaurant, ‘Tokito’. This project made me fall in love with the documentary format - capturing someone’s real journey, while becoming a part of it yourself, is a unique and immensely rewarding experience.
AWARDS / FESTIVALS
winner - Award for Distinction for Cinematography (Documentaries) - Australian Cinematographer Society National Awards 2026
winner - Gold Award (Documentaries) - Australian Cinematographer Society 2025 NSW Branch Awards
nominated for Best Documentary Feature at Warsaw International Film Festival 2024 (link)
official selection - Palm Springs International Film Festival 2025 (link)
official selection - Sydney International Film Festival 2025 (link)