Cherry Blossom Kite

The National Cherry Blossom Festival is an annual event that attracts millions of people to Washington DC. One of the festival's main attractions is the Blossom Kite Festival, a long-standing tradition that has been held at the National Mall since 1967. Despite efforts by some people to halt the event, it remains a popular and successful gathering, with both amateur and professional kite enthusiasts coming from all over the country to participate.

The documentary explores the history and significance of the Blossom Kite Festival and its place within the larger context of the National Cherry Blossom Festival. It features interviews with kite enthusiasts from seasoned veterans to first-time participants.l.

The documentary shows how the Blossom Kite Festival has endured and continues to bring people together in celebration of spring and Japanese culture. Through visuals of colorful kites soaring over the National Mall and interviews with those who have been touched by the event, the film captures the magic and joy of this beloved tradition.

  • Mel Andre
    Director
  • Mel Andre
    Producer
  • Johanna Freda
    Producer
  • Mel Andre
    Writer
  • Adam Schutsky Schutsky
    Key Cast
    "Adam"
  • Caitlin Doovnbos
    Key Cast
    "Caitlin"
  • Mikio Toki
    Key Cast
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Short
  • Runtime:
    15 minutes
  • Completion Date:
    April 14, 2023
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Mel Andre

Mel Andre is a queer documentarian and director with Haitian, Dominican, and Cuban roots. Their goal is to provide a platform for people to share their stories, particularly on topics such as LGBTQ issues, community, social justice, spirituality, and culture. Through their documentaries, Mel aims to give a voice to those who may not otherwise be heard.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

Cherry Blossom Kite is a feel-good documentary that shares the long-held tradition of flying kites on the national mall during the Cherry Blossom Festival. I wanted to create a documentary that shows that even with a little bit of controversy people can still come together as a community and have fun.