MANEKI | Full Lesbian Short Film

Aiko, a young cashier working at a ramen restaurant, gets rejected by Jean, Aiko’s favorite regular. But when Jean returns to the restaurant and tries to bridge the gap, Aiko must reconcile her feelings as their relationship enters uncharted territory.
Official Selection
Austin Film Festival
Outfest Fusion
Asian American International Film Festival
San Diego Asian Film Festival
Boston Asian American Film Festival
Santa Monica International Film Festival
If you ask someone out, and you get rejected, can you still be friends? That's the question we sought to answer with this cute, light-hearted coming-of-age film.
Starring
Iris Liu as Aiko / irisliuofficial
Elsie Wang as Jean / elsielwang
Garth Sodetani as Ricky / kidtani
Cory Wong as a customer / cswongphoto
Directed by Brandon Okumura / brandokumura
Written by Maggie Wong / maggarino
Story by Maggie Wong, Brandon Okumura, and Katherine Tran / k_tran
Produced by Leon Cheo / leoncheo
Cinematography by Jucel Andrin / jucelandrin_
1st AD - Austin Quon / quonfucious
1st AC - Isaiah Walk / isaiahwalk_dp
Gaffer - Jamon Tolbert / jamon.tolbert
Key Grip - Christian Kim / christian_kiim
G/E Swing - Brendan Yoo / _brendan.yoo_
Sound Mixing and Sound Design - Marcos Castro / mantonitro
Production Design - Grace Kim / msgracekim
Art PA - Danielle Kim / danielle_daeun
PA/Runner/2nd AC - Riley Okumura / itsrileyokay
Location - My Ramen Bar / myramenbar
#gayfilm #bisexual #lesbian #shortfilm #comedy #drama #lgbtq #lgbtqfilm #queer #romance #rejection #relationships #gaypanic #ramen #4k #asianamerican #okiemedia

[@brandonokumura]

If you have any questions about the making of the film, or if you want to hear more about it came together, comment below! Thanks for watching 🙂

[@OnionRing6000]

"That was the most painful thing I've ever witnessed". Me too Ricky. Me too.

[@brandonokumura]

😅😅😅

[@whalium889]

It was painful watching him watch in the background

[@AsianGlowXO]

AF 😅😅😅😅😅

[@Rosieft]

@@whalium889FOR REAL, I already knew something was up with hi,

[@CalTHEvampire]

My favorite line "please don't sue us"

[@user-db2wc8rv3z]

I just find it so funny how Asian women act so fake with like every other ethnicity male or female but then try to make them look Genuine

[@thegaychip123]

Mine too

[@vincyagain]

The tension, the awkwardness, the gay panic, the sibling dynamic. The writer did a great job and the acting was perfect. Thank you for making a queer short film Brandon! This is a dream to watch! I’d love to know your thoughts behind the project!

[@maggiewong6453]

🥺❤

[@vincyagain]

@@maggiewong6453we need more Asian queer representation, this short story meant a lot to me❤ thank you for this wholesome story, maggie.

[@maggiewong6453]

@@vincyagainI'm so happy to hear that

[@brandonokumura]

I'm so glad you liked it! It was a labor of love from everyone involved. I've thought about producing some kind of commentary about the production at some point, so perhaps that's in the future!

[@jeanniesegall287]

This was such a lovely piece of natural film storytelling. I would be very interested to know how you came to make it and the stories of the people involved. It feels almost totally improvisational within a given framework. Thank you to you all.

[@Clockworkcityofpain]

I love how you didn't push for an ending that would've felt too rushed given their situation. I loved that it ended just when it did. Great job!

[@brandonokumura]

The start of a beautiful friendship 😊

[@littlepig4596]

​@@brandonokumurano its gay i saw the next one

[@ShafyUlya-ij8el]

WHEREEE​@@littlepig4596

[@hel2727]

@@brandonokumura huh

[@Baddrawingsbutyouloveit]

I really like how understanding ricky was. I thought he was gonna be a stereotypical homophobic male but he let her know that asking someone out was simply unprofessional. not wrong. We all need a supportive friend like this. Me and my girlfriend had a rocky relationship because we were both in middle school. i was afraid to tell my friends because i thought they would think I was weird, my middle school brain couldn't process the fact that we were all bi and it wasn't weird.

[@scales57]

wow, the awkward silence was so LOUD! I have goose bumps!

[@peabeanmilk]

wow. i related to this on a deep molecular level. i, too, am a queer asian who got rejected by a really great friend of mine 😭😭😭😭😭 we’re still friends so everything turned out okay

[@linasalazar7496]

That was very awkward. She asked her out in a nice way. She said let’s be friends. To be honest if somebody would ask me out, I would not know what to say but that came out nice the way she said it to thumbs up 👍 👍for that short film. Love it you guys are awesome keep it up you’re doing a good job.

[@brandonokumura]

Thank you!

[@linasalazar7496]

Thank you 😊 🙏

[@linasalazar7496]

Thank you 🙏

[@EvidentlyThinking]

Thank you so much for this! Genuinely, on behalf of the lesbian community, it means the world to have more short film representation. The camera work and acting was beautiful and natural 🤍

[@brandonokumura]

Thank you for your kind words and for watching!! 😊

[@h0rn3d_h1st0r1an]

We all need a Ricky in our lives.

[@that-one3408]

In ricky we trust

[@h0rn3d_h1st0r1an]

@@that-one3408 #rickyisdagoat

[@agnesborbe2395]

Agree

[@spudsbuchlaw]

6 seasons and a movie, NOW

[@name-mh2cn]

finally a short film that actually feels like a short movie. The acting was good and the storyline too. I got taken away in it. Not trying to hate on other short films, but the bad acting often distracts me and doesnt make me feel like i belong in the story

[@melondoo6129]

this was honestly very heartfelt and cute.

[@brandonokumura]

Thank you for watching!

[@PhoenixAlquiros]

the storyline was creative and the acting was perfect

[@brandonokumura]

Thank you! The actors were all so great, I agree!

[@talkin_bout_this]

I loved it. Not the typical short film where they both start dating by the end rather this was slow and calm, showing the process of their journey.

[@BorisTheSkullDog]

The silence was so painful it physically hurt

[@sakhisayi9340]

Looked so natural and heart warming... felt warmness inside every single dialogues... really an unexpected find for me. Really gives of so many emotions in every frames. Looking forward for your next work.

[@brandonokumura]

Thank you so much! I'm glad you connected to our story 🙂

[@edyak6280]

Relationships sometimes do need to grow; it’s not all wham, bam, thank you ma’am. A beautiful story, performed by two talented lead actors. Well done!

[@eyesonyujin9180]

This was so cute 🥹🥹 just some cute lil loser lesbian doing cute lil lesbian things ❤ thank you for making this, we need more cute wlw stories like this!

[@brandonokumura]

Thank you for watching and so glad your enjoyed it!! We wanted it to be a light and cute story 😊

[@thechristinaccruz]

ngl i like to avoid awkward situations as much as possible, so as soon as Aiko was rejected I almost gave up watching, for I powered thru and it's good that I did because this was really really good, kudos everybody who made this project possible.

[@xXCarlota_drawsXx]

5:46 **Ankward silence** I CAN'T-

[@caroalvar1511]

That was...yeah hahaha

[@ranran9835]

ricky is so funny xD "please dont sue us!" ^.^

[@riversbend]

this is absolutely DELIGHTFUL. i could feel everything Aiko was feeling, from the longing to the awkward to the mop in her hands, and I felt like she and Jean and Ricky were all going places I've lived before with work and life and friendship. Beautiful to watch, great story, great acting. Thank you all!

[@myheartisburiedinvenice]

HOW IS THIS NOT TRENDING YET???

[@brandonokumura]

Share with your friends! Thanks for watching

[@Frir10]

This was written and acted so naturally by everyone. These feel like real people having real conversations. Good job everryone!

[@A.v.g79]

What a wonderful short story! I wanted to say thank you for making this film, as a lesbian I dont really get to see stories about my type of love very often and definitely not high quality and heart-warming like this one. So a HUGE THANK YOU for everybody involved in this❤

[@Winter-i-adore]

Ricky: please dont sue us!.. 💀

[@gmacgreg7738]

This is how most guys feel every time we ask someone out. But if you don't shoot your shot you never know. What is that old saying, "it is better to have Loved and lost than never Loved at all." Relatable.

[@SearchinJoy]

This is so good. You all nailed it and the awkwardness and embarrassment is so real it dredged up memories that made it doubly worse! Fantastic. Congratulations - especially to the painfully believable Iris and Elsie.

[@whalium889]

Aiko is the definition of gay panic

[@brandonokumura]

I've been told that as well 🙂 thanks for watching!

[@adriftbubbles6817]

loved it! but the tension was soooo suffocating T_T was too early for me to witness this sort of tension

[@brandonokumura]

Thank you! The awkward tension is off the charts!

[@User-kt8nh]

i wanna know if the ramen was kinda a metaphor for dating a girl, shes never tried it, but she would only want to with Aiko, or am i reading to deep into it lol?

[@Aubriel-nd2lj]

No I don’t think so… I think u could be right 😮, this is a good theory

[@Rockwith_gyu]

The ending ahhh I love this sm, it was painful but overall super sweet

[@justforglee]

soo wholesome I cant literally 🤌🏻😭really well written and the actors did a great job!

[@ElazarusWills]

Very well done piece all around. It drew me all the way through and the open-ended ending was near perfect. Believable and not contrived. Iris Liu was exceptional.

[@YTuser854]

the finger touching while handing over the card was so real

[@therealcrackbabyy]

That was so good oh my god. It had me kicking my feet and everything.

[@orangexmm]

the east asian culture always can hold a subtle feeling of ambiguity，careful， hint， the heart pounding under the silence

[@Lilibee_15]

3:50 literally is how I feel when something didn’t go how I planned with a girl. I loved this sm

[@isabelchen7091]

So relatable!! Love this kind of content. Can’t wait to see more. Just subscribed ❤

[@brandonokumura]

Glad you enjoyed it, and thank you for subscribing!

[@caroalvar1511]

I liked that you put [awkward silence] because it felt hahaha. I loved your work, that of the scriptwriters, the actresses and the actor, everything was incredible! 🥺❤️

[@etherealistic5965]

is, is the ramen metaphor for them dating or I'm just overthinking?

[@dtocksdtocks]

Ricky was funny as heck!

[@cash.and.mouse666]

oouuufff, great tension building ;-; the silent moments spoke volumes

[@meganchan9845]

So cute, glad I finally got to see this!

[@brandonokumura]

Glad you liked it!

[@adria345]

Absolutely loved this short film. Amazing work

[@brandonokumura]

Thank you so much!

[@paulavanvliet4127]

This is so so good wow! No music needed whci I respect a lot, great shots, amazing actresses and actor, wow!

[@Noxllyde]

This was lovely, looking forward to your next projects 😊❤

[@brandonokumura]

More to come!

[@Wildflower90640]

That was well done, all around. The writing, timing of dialogue, and the awkward silences. Extremely well done. It seems like the perfect pilot to a mini-series, but all on its own, it warmed my heart. As a 70-year-old male, it feels charming to be reminded that love can be that simple! ❤

[@ziyuliu6351]

Thank you！It is so beautiful and such a natural flow to film it，looking forward to see what‘s next☺☺

[@eldergeektromeo9868]

Very well told. Compliments to all involved! Thank You.

[@marjannevandenberg-dansen7778]

The story was very familiar to me... Great actors, great story, I really loved it.

[@brandonokumura]

Thank you very much!

[@cherylsmith4896]

this was wonderfull an all fronts, and the cast are lovely... thanks

[@brandonokumura]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@heedeugie963]

Such a beautiful and heart warming movie 🫶🏻

[@brandonokumura]

Thank you for watching :)

[@user-zx1ul4tf6b]

i am so invested in this dynamic i wish it was a full series or movie 😭😭😭😭😭

[@thomasg627]

Is it just me? I don't see a lesbian film here, it's a story of a gay girl and a straight girl becoming friends, nothing more. There is no uncharted territory, their friendship can continue only if the gay girl gives up her feelings and agrees to be just friends, or else she will either get her heart broken or their friendship will break or both of that. It's the same in real life, almost every gay girl in the world can tell you a story about having had a crush on a straight girl and pretty much none of these stories have a happy end.

[@OnionRing6000]

Totally agree. I know the heart break though. Hurts like real hell. That's why I try to stay away from straight girl as much as I possibly can. Although we all know it's inevitable falling for them lol.

[@desyraychan3408]

Literally just happened to me, I told this girl I liked her and she said she liked being my friend and is still figuring things out about her sexuality

[@sarahwingert225]

Ironically I'm currently friends with a straight girl I have a huge crush on and it works perfectly well cause she flirts a lot with women, she just doesn't feel the sexual part. I can easily live without the sexual intimacy. So we just chill together, acting as if we were basically in a relationship and I really enjoy it, even though I know she's not really interested in me.

[@OnionRing6000]

@@desyraychan3408 Hope you're doing okay. Seems like she's still figuring stuff out so you might have a chance lol.

[@jeonjunggukseomma_2.097]

No the other girl is Bi lol 🤩🤭

[@danielaflores7079]

i need more short with this 3 ❤❤ I really love it ALL that was a lot of emotions in a short while. Nice job🎉

[@brandonokumura]

Thank you so much!!

[@CandiceLikes]

Super cute short film. Actors did a great job. 👍👍

[@brandonokumura]

The actors did super well, I agree!

[@avogelsang]

That was really beautiful! Looking forward to more! Thank you!

[@julescaru8591]

Ok , that was good ! All the best Jules 👏🌈

[@Ultimateer]

Well written, shot and acted! Loved it!

[@stevecheevers7337]

I really love this Short, you went for realistic ending and made it more heartwarming in process. To have all of sudden have Jean fall head over heels in love with Aiko just wouldn't feel warranted. She's just come out of relationship with her boyfriend and her work is important to her. Plus If it ever does happen between them it will take time. But it might not happen at all but at least Aiko has someone who be loving friend to her. I like that she never judges or shuns Aiko for what she did. I like the character of Jean. She's a lonely young woman, who's just lost and alone. She sees the ramen restaurant as second home from home, somewhere where Aiko and Ricky are welcoming and warm to her. Something she clearly needs in her life at that point. As she said the food is nice but it's the company she needs the most. Such a sweet short film. You could have gone for that fluffy ending of Jane falling for Aiko but it would have felt false. Also Ricky rocks. One of funniest characters I've seen in a short film in recent times.

[@PilotzInTheSky]

Found this little gem 💎…thanks for this !

[@-missballoon819]

30 seconds in, she is so me hello?!

[@im.claire]

I LOVE THIS!!!

[@adriftbubbles6817]

aahahdjahgkhag the awkward silence is giving me anxietyyyyy :))

[@this_is_not_vee]

I love it this has me giggling and kicking my feet

[@MrHadaproduction]

so good, so beautiful shot. so Meaningful. i love this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@tarapeart721]

ugh this is so good

[@MossChildxD]

3 minutes in and i already love it sm aaa

[@nehabharali3711]

a happy Part 2 needed ❤️

[@brandonokumura]

Maybe in the future!

[@nenessalkki]

omg the way i loveddd this

[@deroux]

That was sweet. Thank you!

[@TheriiYuh]

I love this sm

[@bitterkittencontent]

WE NEED A SERIES!!

[@dcskggg]

The acting! 👌👌👌👌🤌🤌🤌🤌

[@brandonokumura]

The actors are great right? Thanks for watching!

[@syntaques]

This is excellent. Thank you

[@freakybishhh]

Aww this is such a sweet story

[@albarainbow]

I’d watch a whole series with them❤❤❤

[@alejnathereseponce3122]

oh my gawdddd this is so cute T-T i can feel the tension....I love this

[@brandonokumura]

Glad you enjoyed 😊

[@manu.b22]

Loved it❤

[@tor.giraffe]

This is so hard core relatable

[@MilkTeaMaddie]

That was so cute!

[@Adam-eb8ue]

Hey! This is good. Really good. More please!

[@brandonokumura]

Thank you!

[@JediMB]

KZbin algorithm finally delivering That Good Content.

[@khoduswadia6653]

Absolutely brilliant....

[@Beetroot9934]

Ahhhh so cuteeee. Got me all smiley😂

[@brandonokumura]

So glad to hear it!

[@anweshahazra9171]

This is beautiful

[@melissawebb7111]

We need a part 2!

[@Bubu4813]

awwww i loved it ;--;

[@brandonokumura]

Thank you, I'm so glad 😊

[@Goodgirlie123]

This is soo good 👍

[@Hammster69official]

Aw, this was so cute... 🙂

[@nganha2699]

This is soooo accurate

[@taylorchan]

Bravo Brandon!

[@brandonokumura]

Thanks Taylor!!

[@sandyd6361]

I need a part two 😭😭😭

[@Xindi86]

Beautiful 😊 put a smile on my face ❤

[@ohhi7202]

iiiiii love ittttt😍😍😍❤️❤️❤️✨️✨️

[@saracarpenito2817]

i loved it :')

[@kimtaeyeon3081]

So awk and so cute 😂