Okinawa is Everywhere: Ichariba Chode is a 7-minute, 59-second short-form documentary that weaves a vibrant tapestry of Okinawa’s boundless spirit, capturing its global resonance through the lens of Okinawa Americana, a band rooted in the island’s soul. Directed by Adam Lewis and written/narrated by David Ralston, this Japan-based film traces Ralston’s 30-year journey as an outsider claimed by Okinawa, revealing how its culture—embodied in the proverb Ichariba Chode (“Once we meet, we are brothers and sisters”)—transcends borders to connect hearts worldwide.

From the turquoise waters of Okinawa to stages in Nashville and São Paulo, the film explores the island’s enduring influence through its diaspora, military ties, karate legacy, and chance encounters, like that with a world-class Australian photographer whose stunning visuals shape this story. Archival footage, sweeping drone shots, and Okinawa Americana’s evocative music blend to honor descendants in Brazil, veterans in Tennessee, and seekers drawn to Okinawa’s coral kingdoms. Each frame pulses with the island’s ethos of kinship, culminating in a poignant moment with a 94-year-old WWII veteran whose tears bridge 1945 to today.

Shot in Japan and infused with global perspectives, Okinawa is Everywhere: Ichariba Chode is both a personal odyssey and a universal hymn to connection, crafted to resonate with audiences from Okinawan communities to festival-goers. Its concise yet powerful narrative, paired with cinematic visuals and a heartfelt score, makes it a compelling entry for festivals and awards, celebrating a place that lives in every soul it touches.

「沖縄はどこにでも」 は、沖縄文化とその世界的なディアスポラを「いちゃりばちょーでー」の精神を通じて祝う心温まる短編映画です。那覇の活気ある三線のメロディから、ハワイやブラジルのたくましいコミュニティに至るまで、沖縄のアイデンティティが国境を越えてどのように繁栄しているかを探ります。沖縄アメリカーナのデビッド・ラルストンによるナレーションがあり、ブルー・パシフィック・メディアのアダム・ルイスと共同制作されたこの視覚的に豊かな物語は、文化的な誇りと普遍的なつながりを称え、遺産と帰属の物語を織り交ぜています。