WINNER—Human:Rights Award, CPH:DOX 2024; Special Jury Award, San Francisco International Film Festival; Lena Sharpe Award for Persistence of Vision, Seattle International Film Festival; Inspiring Voices and Perspectives Award, Cinefest Sudbury International Film Festival; Best International Documentary Film, Zurich Film Festival

When Shiori Ito, at the time a young woman and aspiring journalist, accepted an invitation for a drink with famed reporter Noriyuki Yamaguchi, she was lured into a trap: after she was intoxicated, Ito was taken against her will to his hotel room. Ito’s allegations of ensuing rape were dismissed by Japan’s justice system because of archaic laws that remain on the books. But Ito goes public with her allegations and sets up a court case in a demand for justice, setting up a riveting emotional rollercoaster-ride as she takes her fight to the heart of the patriarchy.

Deftly crafted employing personal archival material (and a great soundtrack), Black Box Diaries sees Ito pushing herself to the extreme, tackling public criticism and threats, and navigating deep cultural prejudice against women. If she wins, it will be worth it all.