Kurosawa Award Honors O Mipo’s Return to Filmmaking After Raising Her Sons

O Mipo, the Korean‑Japanese director who co‑won the 2026 Kurosawa Award, was celebrated at the 39th Tokyo International Film Festival. The honor arrives as she returns to feature filmmaking after a decade‑long pause to raise her two sons. Her career, marked by early festival wins and a recent eco‑drama, illustrates a resurgence that could reshape expectations for women directors in Japan. The award not only recognizes her past achievements but also shines a spotlight on her new projects, including the 2025 children’s drama “How Dare You?”.

What happened

Co‑recipient of the 2026 Kurosawa Akira Award alongside Iranian filmmaker Mohammad Rasoulof, O Mipo met with Variety at Tokyo’s Imperial Hotel before the ceremony. The award honors filmmakers of substantial achievement who represent the future of cinema, and the jury highlighted her early success with the short “Eye” (2002) and the Sundance/NHK International Filmmakers Award for her first feature screenplay “The Sakai’s Happiness” (2005).

After a nine‑year break following her 2015 drama “Being Good,” during which she raised her sons, O Mipo returned with the coming‑of‑age drama “Living in Two Worlds” (2024) and the eco‑themed children’s film “How Dare You?” (2025). She also contributed a segment to the international anthology “Tell It Like a Woman” (2022), signaling a gradual re‑entry into the global film conversation.

Why it matters

The recognition signals a shift in Japanese cinema toward valuing directors who balance family responsibilities with artistic ambition, a narrative often missing from industry accolades. By honoring O Mipo, the festival highlights the viability of career breaks for women creators, potentially encouraging studios and funders to support similar trajectories. Her recent work also demonstrates how returning filmmakers can bring fresh perspectives to contemporary issues, such as environmental themes in “How Dare You?”.

How to think about it

Filmmakers contemplating a hiatus should view festivals as platforms to announce their return, leveraging past accolades to secure new funding. Building a concise portfolio of short or anthology work can bridge the gap before tackling a full feature. Networks that supported earlier projects often remain valuable allies, so maintaining those relationships during a break can smooth the transition back.

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