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The Tale of Mari

Mari, an elderly Japanese woman, recounts her experiences growing up in Okinawa, moving to America, and attempting to become a newspaper cartoonist.

  • Anya Vaughn
    Director
  • Mari Arakaki Gaskins
    Key Cast
  • Nana Gaskins Vaughn
    Key Cast
  • Andre Gaskins
    Composer
  • Project Type:
    Animation, Documentary, Short, Student
  • Genres:
    Documentary, Non-Fiction
  • Runtime:
    6 minutes 39 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    May 31, 2024
  • Production Budget:
    0 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Black & White and Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    Yes - Rochester Institute of Technology
Director Biography - Anya Vaughn

A lifelong daydreamer, Anya Vaughn has always had a passion for storytelling, no matter the medium. Her desire to learn both 2D animation and fine arts skills led her to study at the Maryland Institute College of Art, where she also developed an unexpected love for stop motion. After receiving her BFA, Anya continued to study animation at Rochester Institute of Technology, obtaining her MFA in 2024. She enjoys using stop motion, 2D animation, and combinations of the two to enhance the themes in her stories.

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Director Statement

The Tale of Mari was created as a celebration of my grandmother’s art, which had been lost and forgotten until only a few years ago. The discovery of these comics came as a surprise, and made me realize how little I knew about my grandma’s past. Creating this film provided an opportunity for me to learn more about and connect with my grandmother. The Tale of Mari exists due to the support of my family in my pursuit of art. This film attempts to pay that support back, and to give my grandmother’s art the audience and appreciation that it never received in its time.