Strand Releasing has acquired all North American rights to “ Diamond Diplomacy ,” a documentary directed by Yuriko Gamo Romer that explores the cultural and historical ties between the United States and Japan through baseball. The film traces the sport’s evolution from its introduction to Japan in 1872 through its modern global impact, including the rise of two-way star Shohei Ohtani . According to the synopsis, “Through a tapestry of archival footage, personal stories, and cultural history, ‘Diamond Diplomacy’ reveals how the game has served as both a bridge and a mirror between two nations shaped by diplomacy, conflict and exchange.” The documentary premiered at the Mill Valley Film Festival in 2025 and has since screened at festivals including Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival, Newport Beach Film Festival and Hawaii International Film Festival. It was also named runner-up for the Library of Congress Lavine/Ken Burns Prize for Film, which honors documentaries focused on American history.…