Sands 25: Black Box Diaries (15) - From Pay What You Can: £12, £10, £8

Ameline Kinloch Anderson* on why you should see Black Box Diaries at Sands 25:

In her debut feature documentary, journalist Shiori Itō chronicles her inspiring journey to justice after being sexually assaulted by a prominent media executive with political influence.

Black Box Diaries investigates the systemic issues surrounding the legal definition and handling of rape in Japan, with the system often undermines survivors. Itō uses real-time investigations and personal video diaries and offers a raw and gripping portrayal of not only her battle with the archaic legal system, but also an intimate glimpse into her everyday life. While the film candidly depicts the obstacles she faced, it also serves as a poignant tribute to her unwavering resilience.

Black Box Diaries has garnered numerous accolades and was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature Film.

Shown in English and Japenese with English Subtitles
Dir: Shiori Ito | 2024 | USA/UK/Japan | 1h 43m

Contains sexual violence references, suicide references
For additional content advice, which may contain spoilers, visit the BBFC website

*Sands films are selected by our Festival Director, Ania Trzebiatowska (who is also a feature film programmer for the Sundance Film Festival), in collaboration with a hand picked group of Student Curators from the University of St Andrews Department (which was ranked first in the UK for Media and Film Studies by The Guardian Good University Guide 2025.)