Directors Teodora Ana Mihai and Sode Yukiko on Hiding Motherhood to Survive Film Industry Bias

At the Tokyo International Film Festival, directors Teodora Ana Mihai and Sode Yukiko revealed they hid their pregnancies and new motherhood from colleagues to avoid career penalties. Mihai, whose Heysel 85 competes at the festival, said she felt she needed to prove herself three times more than male peers. Sode, a Japanese filmmaker, echoed the pressure to appear fully committed to work. The candid talk highlighted systemic barriers for mothers in film, where caregiving responsibilities are often seen as a liability. By sharing their stories, the directors aim to normalize parenting in the industry and push for structural changes like childcare support on sets. Their testimonies come as festivals increasingly spotlight gender equity, but real progress remains slow. The conversation signals a growing refusal among women filmmakers to suffer in silence—and a demand for an industry that values both art and care.