Save Date, Buy Tix, for Film on Women & Taiko

Finding Her Beat

Directed by Dawn Mikkelson, Keri Pickett

Article by Bill Teague, Web Editor

DON’T MISS Finding Her Beat, a special presentation of the San Diego Asian Film Festival’s Spring Showcase. The film screens at the Mission Valley Ultrastar on Saturday, April 22, 2023 at 3 p.m.

This 2022 documentary celebrates the challenges and successes of women in taiko from Japan to the United States, leading to an all-star women-centered concert exploding with energy.

BTSD Applauds Women in Taiko

The Temple’s taiko troupe comprises mostly women, so we are predisposed to support this film, just like we support our troupe! San Diego has an especially strong taiko culture, thanks in part to BTSD, one of the earliest troupes to be formed.

International in Scope, Local Connection

With footage from Japan and the U.S., the film includes local artist Diana Wu of Naruwan Taiko, who will be performing with representatives from all local groups, following the showing of the movie. Our own Chelsey Koga will represent BTSD..

Leadership and Identity

A key focus of the film is on the artist Jennifer Weir. Weir was a Korean adoptee raised in North Dakota away from Asian-Americans and Asian culture. It was through travelling to Minnesota and joining Theater Mu that Weir discovered community with other Asian-American artists and — in an event that changed her life — discovered taiko. Today she is Executive Director of Taiko Arts Midwest, based in St. Paul, Minnesota. Weir was the creative spark who assembled the international concert of women in taiko that centers the documentary.

Learn More

Here is the SDAFF page with information on Finding Her Beat. The documentary has an 89-minute running time.