View source for Dojo (2023 film)

{{Infobox company
| name           = Dojo
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| director       = Armin Alic
| screenplay     = 
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| based_on       = <!-- {{Based on|title of the original work|creator of the original work|additional creator(s), if necessary}} -->
| producer       = Jon Paul
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| studio         = <!-- or: | production_companies = -->
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| released       = July 28, 2023
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| country        = [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States United States]
| language       = English
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}}

'''''Dojo''''' Dojo is a 2023 [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martial_arts martial arts] [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Short_film short film] that has achieved a remarkable milestone, winning 495 international film awards. This surpasses the current [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guinness_World_Records Guinness World Record] of 383 awards held by the film ''Cognition'', a high-budget production backed by the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_BBC_properties BBC Studio] and the BBC Studio Orchestra, featuring a large crew and a director from [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BBC BBC].<ref name="TKD">[https://tkdlifemagazine.com/2024/09/05/dojo-is-a-must-see-for-martial-arts-fans/ "Dojo is a Must See for Martial Arts Fans" 5 September 2024]</ref> 
''Cognition'' had a substantial production budget of €510,000 (approximately $550,800 USD). In stark contrast, ''Dojo'' was produced on a modest budget of just $5,000, which  was self-funded by Jon Paul, the producer. 

Despite the vast difference in financial backing and resources, "Dojo" has managed to outshine its predecessor in terms of recognition and awards, highlighting the power of creativity, passion, and determination over sheer budget.<ref>[https://www.lasunfilmfest.com/23rd|title=LA Sun Film Fest 23rd Edition 2023 -Aug "LA Sun Film Fest 23rd Edition 2023 -Aug"]</ref><ref>[https://fridafilmfestival.com/winners-marseille-fest-1 "Winners Marseille International Film Meeting 2024"]</ref>

== Background ==
''Dojo'' is a reflection of the producer's  lifelong passion for [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martial_arts martial arts] and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Storytelling storytelling].  Jon Paul, the producer has  been training in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judo judo] at Baragua Judo Kai, a non-profit dojo founded by  his  father, who has been  his sensei since  he  started training at the age of 6. 

Jon PauI have trained in Japan six times, achieving a top 32 world ranking in his division.  He  currently hold a 4th-degree black belt in Judo and have won the USA Judo Nationals twice and earned a bronze medal at the Pan-American Judo Championships.

As a first-time filmmaker,  Jon Paul  took on multiple roles in the creation of ''Dojo'' — serving as the writer, producer, lead actor, and casting director. This film was a passion project that  he self-funded on a shoestring budget. Despite the constraints of a low budget, "Dojo" has made a significant impact, demonstrating that powerful storytelling and creative vision can resonate without substantial financial backing.<ref>[https://medium.com/@jonpaul1090/dojo-wins-best-shorts-competition-in-los-angeles-5d34780f658d "“Dojo” Wins Best Shorts Competition In Los Angeles"]</ref>

== Plot ==
The  short film tells the story of  Shane Lucas, an ex-[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yakuza Yakuza] member and 4th degree black belt in Judo, who is hunted down at his local dojo in Los Angeles  by his long-time rival, Elias Da Rosa and his crew members  from the same crime family. Shane is  faced  with two  dangerous options-  either  to rejoin the Yakuza  crime family or  to face the consequence of backing out.<ref name="TKD"/>

== Cast ==
The  cast includes actual Judokas from Jon Paul's dojo and the wider Judo community, including a Judo Olympian and a national veterans champion, which lends authenticity to the film's fight choreography. They include:

* Jon Paul  as ''Shane Lucas''
* Christofer Aguero as ''Elias Da Rosa''
* Juan Vilacoba as ''Alfonso Lucas''
* Daniel Gonzalez  as ''Alfonso Lucas'' (V.O.)
* Alex Jacobson as ''Yomi Nakaya''
* Justin Harris - Yakuza Crew Member
* Josue Deprez - Yakuza Crew Member
* Joe Fuentes - Yakuza Crew Member
* Rick Acuna - Yakuza Crew Member

== Awards ==
So far, ''Dojo'' has won 495 international film awards and still counting. Among its accolades include:

* 2023 - Best Martial Arts Film at the ''[[2023 Cannes Film Festival|Cannes World Film Festival]]''<ref>[https://www.imdb.com/event/ev0025279/2023/1/ "World Film Festival in Cannes 2023 Awards"]</ref>

* 2023 - Best Martial Arts Short Film Showdown at the '' International Action Film Festival''<ref>[https://www.urbanactionshowcase.com/2023winners.html "Winner 2023 Urban Action Showcase"]</ref>

* 2024 - Best Action Film of the Year at the annual Red Movie Awards<ref>[https://redmovieawards.com/winner-annual-2024 "Best Action Film of the Year at the annual Red Movie Awards"]</ref>

* 2024 - Best Actor, Best Sport Film & Best Cinematography at ''2024 New York Film Festival Best Indie Selection''<ref>[https://wildfilmmaker.com/winners-new-york-film-festival-best-indie-selection-2024/ "WINNERS New York Film Festival Best Indie Selection 2024"]</ref>

== References ==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* [https://www.dojothefilm.com/ Official website]
* * [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt21195478/ Dojo 2023 film on IMDB]


[[Category:Martial arts films]]
[[Category:Short films]]
[[Category:Action films]]
[[Category:Thrillers]]
[[Category:2023 short films]]