The reason we live here. 2026 International Women's Day Special Screening: "As Two" + Director Talk

"The Reason We Live Here: 2026 International Women's Day Special Screening of 'Futari no Mama' + Director Talk" Event Announcement!

Creative Studio koko will be hosting the 7th "koko no me"🌱 event.

"koko no me" is a space for people involved in "creating and delivering" to empower one another while exchanging diverse perspectives, thoughts, and emotions, exploring pathways to the world we want to live in from this very moment, right here.

Our theme is "Things we want to talk about now." We host guest events and publish articles about the planning processes and backstories in creative production and expression, our working environments, our connection to society, and what we can do to make a difference.🤍

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The theme for the 8th event is "The Reason We Live Here: 2026 International Women's Day Special Screening of 'Futari no Mama' + Director Talk"

This work is a documentary film recording the daily lives of Japanese same-sex couples as they live as a "family." Despite the fact that same-sex marriage is not legally recognized, the film carefully depicts four same-sex couples who are raising children—or hoping to—as they navigate their daily lives. The film weaves together a tapestry of diverse family dynamics: families raising children born through sperm donation, couples creating new relationships as stepfamilies, spouses undergoing long-term fertility treatments, and families watching over children who are about to reach adulthood.

International Women's Day on March 8th is a day to reflect on the journey of women's rights and dignity, but it is also an opportunity to turn our eyes toward the diversity and complexity within the word "woman." The stories of families led by women go beyond the context of visibility for sexual minorities; they question how the very choices to "give birth or not" and "have a family or not" are tied to social norms and expectations.

Even among women, standpoints, backgrounds, economic conditions, physical circumstances, and forms of partnership vary greatly. Regardless of whether one is a lesbian or not, experiences are never uniform—there are those who wish for children but cannot have them, those who choose not to, and those who carry struggles while raising children. Nevertheless, society often operates on the assumption of a single "correct" life course.

In this event, through the screening of this film, we will think about "what is a family?" and "what is choice?" from a broader perspective, starting from the specific stories of same-sex families. On this milestone of International Women's Day, we will create a space where diverse experiences intersect and foster a dialogue where each person's position and emotions are respected.

We aim to create a place where creators, distributors, and audiences can gather, talk openly, and learn from one another. By bringing together people with different positions and experiences, we hope to encounter voices and perspectives rarely heard in daily life, leading to new insights and hints for our next actions.

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Event Purpose

• To visualize diverse family structures through this screening and rethink rigid values regarding "family," "childbirth," and "partnership."
• Starting from the stories of same-sex families, create a space to share the complex experiences that exist among women, including conflicts and choices regarding childbirth and the realities of child-rearing, regardless of sexual orientation.
• To deepen understanding of the production background and social context through a talk with the director, and to encourage a dialogue where participants' positions and emotions intersect.
• To deliver this film to audiences who have not yet encountered it, primarily through our community, and to nurture the ground for continuous dialogue.

Who should attend👀

• Those interested in gender and family structures.
• Those thinking about childbirth or the choice of whether or not to have children.
• Those currently raising children who have conflicts or questions.
• Those interested in partnerships and family formation by same-sex couples.
• Those who want to re-examine society from a feminist or queer perspective.
• Those who want to learn about social issues through films and documentaries.

🎬Film Introduction

'Futari no Mama' (Two Moms)

⚫︎Film Summary

In Japan, there are many same-sex families raising children. However, the majority live by hiding their relationships due to fears of discrimination and prejudice. This film captures the daily lives of four such "invisible" same-sex couples who are raising or hoping to raise children.

The forms of the four "families" featured are diverse. One couple raises a newborn baby with the help of the friend who donated sperm and their own parents. Another is a single mother and her same-sex partner who have started living together to become a stepfamily. There is a couple who have poured time, money, and heart into fertility treatments for years, feeling pressured by various "deadlines." Another couple watches over their daughter, who was born via sperm bank donation and is now reaching adulthood... We listen to their various choices as "families" and the thoughts behind them.

Director Satoko Osamura is a co-representative of the general incorporated association Kodomap, which has supported LGBTQ+ individuals who wish to have or are raising children for over 10 years; she is also a parent raising a child with her own same-sex partner.

⚫︎Staff
Cinematography: Satoko Osamura, Editing: Takashi Uchida and Satoko Osamura, Music: Kanako Hayama, Theme Song: Siraska

⚫︎Year of Production/Country
2025 / Japan

⚫︎Runtime
88 minutes

Event Overview

Date/Time | March 20, 2026 (Sat) 16:00 - 18:45
Fee | General: 1,500 JPY | Students/Individuals with disability certificates: 1,000 JPY | Supporter ticket: 3,000 JPY

For infection prevention, those who wish to do so may wash their hands and gargle at the venue. We will prepare for regular ventilation and disinfection at the venue.

Timetable

15:45 | Doors open
16:00 - 16:10 | Opening
16:10 - 17:40 | Screening of 'Futari no Mama'
17:40 - 17:55 | Break time
17:55 - 18:40 | Director talk
18:40 - 18:45 | Closing
18:45 - 19:30 | Networking time (optional)

※ Please note that the schedule is subject to change.

Notes

• Please note that tickets cannot be canceled after purchase.
• The timetable may change due to circumstances on the day.
• We will be filming and photographing the event. These materials may be used for future events, our website, social media, and event advertisements. If you do not wish to be filmed, please let us know via the survey in the application form.
• Regarding photography by participants during the event, we will explain the event rules during the announcement on the day. We ask for your consideration and cooperation.
• Due to venue constraints, we have prepared both floor seating (on carpets) and chair seating. Also, the screening will be conducted using a projector; due to venue facilities, the image and sound may be slightly harder to see or hear compared to a standard movie theater. We apologize for any inconvenience and appreciate your understanding. If you have any seating preferences, please indicate them in the application form.

We aim to create a space that is...

• A place for dialogue, not a one-way talk format, where we bring our respective perspectives and thoughts.
• A space that values creating an atmosphere where you feel safe to share your opinions and feelings.
• *This event does not tolerate any oppressive discrimination against any group based on gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religion, disability, age, income, etc. If there is any discriminatory behavior, you may be asked to leave.
• *If you require sign language interpretation, please inquire via the application/survey form at least one week in advance.