EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS
Bryn Mooser
Laura Choi Raycroft
Jean Tsien
David Magdael
PRODUCED BY
Minji Chang
Dave Boyle
Roy Choi
Kenji Tsukamoto
DIRECTED BY
Kenji Tsukamoto
DURATION
86 min
A teenage climbing prodigy travels to South Africa to attempt a historic ascent as her eccentric father joins her on a journey that is a love letter not only to climbing, but to immigrant parents and the quiet pursuit of the American Dream.
“Ashima is likely one of the most beautifully shot, and emotionally complex climbing documentaries of the last several years. Its intimate closeness with its subjects makes it all the more powerful. It isn’t just a climbing film, it’s a human drama, and I think it is one of a number of climbing documentaries marking a shift from hard-crushing send videos into a realm of more accessible documentaries.”
Tate McFadden - Climbing Magazine
“Ashima delivers more than just a story about breathtaking climbs; it charts a profound emotional expedition.”
Chris Jones - Overly Honest Reviews
“The pacing, cinematography and sound design in this movie are all top notch. At times, it feels like the mountains are a character with the weather changing at pivotal scenes throughout the journey.”
Alli Watters - Milwaukee Magazine
“There is something quite inspirational and important about Ashima which has a lot to say about the bond of child and parent, but also about parenting as a whole.”
Rouven Linnarz - asianmoviepulse.com
AWARDS
AUDIENCE AWARD
San Diego Asian Film Festival Spring Showcase
GRAND JURY AWARD FOR BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE
Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival
WOMEN IN FILM AWARD
Mountainfilm
SPECIAL JURY MENTION DOC FILM ENSEMBLE CAST
Austin Asian American Film Festival
AUDIENCE AWARD
Asian Film Festival of Dallas
AUDIENCE AWARD
Asian American Int’l. Film Festival
BEST FILM ABOUT MOUNTAIN SPORTS
Ladek Mountain Festival
SPECIAL JURY MENTION
Ulsan Ulju Mountain Film Festival
BEST FEATURE FILM
Banff Mountain Film and Book Festival
BEST DOCUMENTARY AWARD
Toronto Reel Asian Int’l. Film Festival
BEST CLIMBING FILM
Kendal Mountain Festival
BEST CLIMBING FILM
Mendi Film Festival
BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE
Portland Panorama
BEST MOUNTAIN & ADVENTURE FILM
Kathmandu Int’l. Mountain Film Festival
FESTIVALS
DOC NYC
Santa Barbara International Film Festival
Disorient Asian American Film Festival
Full Frame
Wisconsin Film Festival
'Opio Fest
Milwaukee Film Festival
Visions du Réel
San Diego Asian Film Festival Spring Showcase
Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival
CAAM Fest
FAAIM Asian American Showcase
Mountainfilm
Mendocino Film Festival
Outside Festival
Houston AAPI Film Festival
Austin Asian American Film Festival
Asian Film Festival of Dallas
Asian American Int’l. Film Festival
Ladek Mountain Festival
Ulsan Ulju Mountain Film Festival
Eastern Sierra Mountain Film Festival
Hawaii International Film Festival
Heartland International Film Festival
Boston Asian American Film Festival
SFFILM Schools at Doc Stories
Banff Mountain Film Festival
Toronto Reel Asian Int’l. Film Festival
Kendal Mountain Festival
Mendi Film Festival
Portland Panorama
Trento Film Festival
Festival du Film d'Aventure de La Réunion
Kathmandu Int’l. Mountain Film Festival
Int’l. Alpine Film Festival of Les Diablerets
Int’l. Mountaineering Film Festival