Places We Knew (short film, 2023)

Short Film, Written and Directed by Oliver William Staton

Logline

"Places We Knew" is a poignant family drama that follows a young Japanese American as he returns to his childhood home in Japan, where he reunites with his estranged mother, uncle, and grandmother. Upon arrival, he discovers that his beloved grandmother has recently passed away. As he navigates the challenges of reconnecting with his family and adjusting to the changes in his former home, he faces a difficult decision: cling to cherished memories or confront the painful reality.

Technical Specifications

Location: Fujinomiya-shi, Shizuoka-ken, JAPAN

Runtime: 20min 24sec

Sound mix: Dolby 5.1 | Stereo 

Aspect ratio: 1.78:1

Camera: Digital on ARRI Alexa Mini with Cooke Speed Panchro Series 1 TLS rehoused

Festival Awards & Nominations

LA Asian Film Festival | WINNER of Best Director & Best Ensemble

Flickers Rhode Island International Film Festival | Official Selection 2024
Indy Shorts International Film Festival | Official Selection 2024

New York Indie Shorts Awards | Semifinalist 2025

Hollywood ShortsFest | Official Selection 2025

DisOrient Asian American Film Festival of Oregon | Official Selection 2025

Kalakari International Film Festival | Official Selection 2024
Japan Film Festival Los Angeles | Official Selection 2024

Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival | Official Selection 2024

Tokyo International Short Film Festival | Official Selection 2024

Additional Links

• IMDB Page

• Kickstarter Page, successfully raised over $20k

• Project Instagram Page

• Article by Tokyo Short Film Fest