The Why

In 1942, 120,000 Japanese Americans families were ordered to leave their homes with only what they could carry. They sold their possessions for pennies and locked doors they did not know they would ever unlock again. Husbands and fathers were often taken first, separated from their families and held without trial.

What followed was years of confinement, and the quiet erasure of a life once lived.

It is time to tell this story from the Japanese American perspective. It's time to center their courage, resilience, and humanity in the face of profound injustice and to confront what it means to belong in America today.

But Why NOW?

Japanese Americans were incarcerated despite generations of trying to belong, despite citizenship, community, and contribution.

Today, many immigrant families live with a similar uncertainty, never fully sure if belonging will protect them. The pressure to assimilate, to prove worthiness, to stay invisible in order to survive, is sadly not new.

It is an ongoing American story.

So what is Bye Bye Blackbird?

Bye Bye Blackbird is a film written by Aileen Kyoko that explores resilience and suppression in America during the aftermath of Pearl Harbor. The script was a semi-finalist in the Los Angeles International Screenplay awards.

The film follows a Japanese family in California in the months after Pearl Harbor, as their efforts to assimilate are undone by incarceration, separation, and the slow terror of the unknown.

When her husband is taken away, Akemi, alongside her lifelong friend Alice, must reckon with the parts of herself shaped by silence and survival.

In a world that has taught her to hide her emotions, Akemi begins to reclaim her voice, discovering strength and expression in the face of loss and injustice. The film grapples with the stinging realities of survival and courage.

Told with cinematic restraint and poetic intimacy, the film captures the quiet gasp for air beneath silence, a timeless act of resistance.

Comps

So what's your plan?

We are bringing together some of the most talented up-and-coming, diverse filmmakers to tell this story with care, creativity and authenticity.

If all goes according to plan, we aim to shoot Bye Bye Blackbird in March 2026 and have the film picture-locked by summer, allowing us to begin submitting to film festivals in Summer/Fall.

Our goal is to share this story with audiences around the world, submitting to festivals that uplift Asian and women’s voices, as well as prestigious international festivals.

We believe Bye Bye Blackbird has the power to make a meaningful impact within communities, and we are deeply excited to bring it to life.

Meet our crew so far.

Production & Costume design

Every detail of our production design and costume is informed by history. Authenticity and artistry live side by side.

Here's a peak at our mood board by the talented Keriann Correia:

How You Can Help Bring This Film to Life

This film can only be made with community support.

If this story resonates with you, there are four powerful ways you can help:

Pledge to support the film’s production

Loan anything from the wishlist section if you have it!

Follow us to stay connected as the project unfolds- @byebyeblackbirdfilm on Instagram

Share our campaign to help this story reach new audiences- tag us @byebyeblackbird

Below is some ready-to-post copy to make it easy.

Sharing a film I believe in.

Bye Bye Blackbird tells a story about Japanese American incarceration, belonging, and resilience, one that still echoes today. If this resonates, consider supporting or sharing. @byebyeblackbirdfilm

Excited to support Bye Bye Blackbird, a film made by Asian filmmakers telling a story rooted in resilience and truth.

Follow and support @byebyeblackbirdfilm to learn more.

Some stories deserve to be remembered and retold.

Bye Bye Blackbird centers Japanese American voices and a history that still echoes today.

Follow + support @byebyeblackbirdfilm

Help bring Bye Bye Blackbird to life 🎬

Follow, share, or support this important film about Japanese American incarceration and belonging.

@byebyeblackbirdfilm

Stretch Goals

If we’re fortunate enough to exceed our initial funding goal, additional support will allow us to deepen the care, craft, and reach of Bye Bye Blackbird.

Stretch Goal #1: Expanded Production Design & Costuming

Additional funding will allow us to expand our production design and costume budget and team sourcing period-accurate materials and details that more fully honor the era and lived experiences of Japanese American families.

Stretch Goal #2: Original Score & Sound Design

With added funds, we can collaborate with a composer to create an original score and invest in nuanced sound design that deepens the emotional landscape of the film.

Stretch Goal #3: Post-Production & Color Grade:

Stretch funding will support professional color grading and post-production finishing, allowing the film’s visual language to fully reflect its emotional tone and historical setting.

Festival & Distribution Support

Additional funds will help cover festival submission fees, marketing materials, and outreach ensuring Bye Bye Blackbird can reach audiences at festivals around the world.

Community Screenings & Educational Use 

If we exceed our goal, we aim to organize community and educational screenings, creating space for conversation around history, belonging, and identity.

Thank you so much for supporting this story. Your belief in Bye Bye Blackbird means more than we can express.