Chihiro with his wife and A Lens Inside production partner Meena, won the Bernal Heights Outdoor Cinema's Spirit of Bernal Award for Touching the Untouchable, their short film about the Dalits (untouchables) in India.
Chihiro and Meena spoke at the Opening Night Celebration with other award winners at the Bernal Heights Public Library to a full house.
Touching the Untouchable then screened two nights later for BHOC's Under The Stars outdoor program in Precita Park for intrepid folk and filmmakers who braved the elements for local cinema.
Finally, for the closing night Best of Bernal Award Ceremony, Chihiro and Meena collected their Spirit of Bernal Award (made of cool recycled bus shelter glass) as well as special recognition from the California State Assembly.