Eli Lilly Japan Wins Gold at PR Awards Asia-Pacific 2026 with Short Film 'Connecting Days'

Eli Lilly Japan Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Kobe, Hyogo; President and Representative Director: Simone Tomson; hereinafter 'Eli Lilly Japan') is pleased to announce that its short film 'Connecting Days' has won the Gold award in the 'Best Use of Advocates/Influencers/Celebrities' category at the PR Awards Asia-Pacific 2026, hosted by Haymarket Media Group.

The PR Awards Asia-Pacific is a prestigious accolade recognizing the most outstanding communications campaigns, individuals, and organizations across the Asia-Pacific region. The film received high praise for its strategic use of celebrity advocacy and emotionally resonant creative expression, leading to this Gold recognition.

'Connecting Days' was created as part of Eli Lilly Japan's initiative to alleviate the psychological distress of patients upon recurrence diagnosis, aiming to foster early acceptance of breast cancer recurrence and inspire forward-looking life planning.

The film seeks to shift public and patient perception—from viewing recurrence as 'despair' to seeing it as an 'opportunity to rediscover new value in life.' It draws a powerful parallel between kintsugi, the traditional Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with gold, and the emotional healing journey of women living with recurrent breast cancer.

Starring actress Kaho Minami, who is herself a breast cancer survivor, the film portrays a protagonist grappling with anxiety after a recurrence diagnosis, gradually finding strength and meaning through a kintsugi workshop experience.

Following its release on YouTube and the company website, viewers—including patients—shared heartfelt feedback such as, 'I felt my scar resembled a kintsugi line,' and 'It gave meaning to life beyond treatment.' The film has also been screened at national cancer awareness events, public lectures, and the 4th Yokohama International Film Festival, contributing to broader societal understanding that life with recurrence can still be meaningful and self-directed.

Watch the full short film 'Connecting Days' on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VwKUSZXMpqg

(Note: This link does not lead to Eli Lilly Japan's official website.)

Visit the dedicated website for 'Connecting Days':

https://www.lilly.com/jp/news/stories/short-film_BC

About Eli Lilly Japan

Eli Lilly Japan Co., Ltd. is the Japanese subsidiary of Eli Lilly and Company, a global pharmaceutical leader headquartered in the United States. For over 50 years, the company has been committed to researching, developing, and delivering innovative medicines based on cutting-edge science. It advances healthcare in key therapeutic areas including diabetes, obesity, cancer, central nervous system disorders (such as Alzheimer’s disease), and autoimmune diseases. Eli Lilly Japan is dedicated to building a society where everyone can access essential healthcare with confidence and to helping people live healthier, more fulfilling lives.

For more information, please visit the company website:

https://www.lilly.com/jp

※1 National Cancer Center Japan, Cancer Information Service 'Cancer Statistics' (National Cancer Registry)