Sapporo International Short Film Festival Launches “Drunken Program” – Cinema with Sake and Laughter
Sapporo International Short Film Festival (NoMaps Executive Committee) Press Release: October 24, 2025 Sapporo International Short Film Festival Launches “Drunken Program” – Cinema with Sake and Laughter A unique screening event on October 31 in Sapporo, Japan, where all attendees are required to drink. Image
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alcohol-friendly environment. After two successful years, the concept was officially adopted by the Sapporo International Short Film Festival in 2018, becoming one of its most distinctive and
talked-about programs. The Concept: Redefining How Films Are Enjoyed
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/67047/51/67047-51-87e9fa2a2901cf42a0bed719f770c05a-1456×816.png “Restrained” Image The program was inspired by an observation during regular festival screenings – even comedies often drew restrained laughter from Japanese audiences out of politeness. This led organizer Mr. Hideshi Tsunematsu to ask: “What if we created a screening where people could drink, laugh freely, and relax together?” The event also plays on a cultural paradox: some hesitate to spend ¥2,000 on a movie ticket but are happy to spend ¥3,000 on drinks at an izakaya. By combining the social comfort of drinking with the joy of cinema, the program redefines what a film screening can be. To set a shared mood, attendees cannot enter unless they are already drunk or have a drink upon entry. An alcohol check at the door ensures this requirement is met (designated drivers are exempt). This playful rule creates a rare sense of unity, allowing strangers to laugh together without restraint.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/67047/51/67047-51-7897620d7b827b689168d9ceb61354c5-907×1210.jpg Alcohol Check at the door
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/67047/51/67047-51-3ec140e55d1a9c7f3a346fc8fdbe53d9-801×750.jpg If you are not drunk alcohol, will be served immediately. Drunken Cinema Etiquette: 6 Playful Rules To make the experience fun and safe, the Drunken Program asks attendees to follow six playful guidelines: 1. No entry without alcohol. (Exceptions available.) 2. Feel free to chat during the screening. 3. Minors cannot attend.. 4. If you are uncomfortable with violent or sexual content, please do not attend. 5. Eat and drink freely inside the venue. 6. All disruptive behavior is prohibited. (e.g., violence) These rules ensure that everyone can fully enjoy the screening – laughing, talking, and sharing the experience without restraint. They reflect the program’s spirit: a relaxed, social way to experience short films in Sapporo. Who Attends
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/67047/51/67047-51-1eca093d89f0adc74a42fcdd3fa183a9-1000×562.jpg Kanpai Exact data are unavailable due to walk-in attendance, but organizers estimate: 20% of guests are in their 20s, 60% in their 30s to 50s, and 20% are 60s or older. The cult gender balance is roughly equal, with slightly more women. About half of attendees are repeat visitors, reflecting the event’s growing following. A New Kind of Theater Culture traditional cinemas, where silence is golden, the Drunken Program encourages attendees to order refills during screenings, eat and drink freely, and chat lightly with friends. The atmosphere resembles a cozy pub more than a theater. For many participants, it’s a once-a-year conventional indulgence – Unlike a joyful, communal way to reconnect with the pleasure of watching films together. come to this event.” Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, highlighting the program’s ability to make cinema more approachable, social, and human. Cultural Resonance and the Art of “Moderate Drunkenness”
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/67047/51/67047-51-6597f7e78b827932ca7c52fa2b79e739-1920×1079.jpg “Drunken Program” 2024 International visitors often joke: “If you did this overseas, it would get completely out of hand!” Their reactions highlight a fascinating cultural contrast: in Japan, where social etiquette is strong, a little alcohol provides just enough freedom to connect – without chaos. The event sparks spontaneous friendships, as attendees often chat with neighbors during the screening and continue socializing afterward. In this sense, “getting drunk” becomes a bridge – a way to share the cinematic experience through emotion and openness. Screenings take place at Daruma Hall, a venue operated by local taxi company Hiragishi Hire, allowing guests to enjoy the event safely and return home conveniently. Looking Ahead Now in its ninth year, the Drunken Program continues to evolve, fine-tuning the balance of film, fun, and social interaction. It has grown from a quirky experiment into a beloved cultural event celebrating both cinema and social conviviality – proving that sometimes, a little sake can bring people closer to the true joy of film. ������ “Drunken Program” coming up next week. Event Overview Event Name: Drunken Program 2025 Date & Time: Friday, October 31, 2025 Doors open: 19:00 (Enjoy a drink first!) Screening: 20:00-22:15 Afterparty / Wind-down: until 23:00 Venue: DARUMA Hall 2nd Floor, Hiragishi Hire Parking, 4-5-19, Hiragishi 2-Jo, Toyohira-Ku, Sapporo, Japan Capacity: 100 people (Note: Stairs on site – please be cautious if using a wheelchair.) Special MCs: “Sugaramurdi” – A guerrilla-style film information team distributing independent film free papers across Hokkaido -AKIRA (Writer, Designer, Editor) – Founder of Sugaramurdi. Loves radio. -Ofutarou (Writer) – Joined in 2019. Loves Book Off. Ticket Image
URL: https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/67047/51/67047-51-70642f7bf23167cf75a1f85ca7ce8ce7-280×280.png Scan the QR code for “Drunken” tickets [Admission] Advance Tickets: ¥1,800 (includes one drink ticket worth ¥500) At the Door: ¥2,000 (includes one drink ticket worth ¥500) Tickets can be purchased via teket, or paid on-site by QR code or cash. Please note that no change will be given for cash payments. ������️ We recommend purchasing advance tickets or using online payment. Program
https://sapporoshortfest.jp/25/programmes/drunken/?lang=en “Drunken Program 2025” Trailer (1min 11sec)：
https://img.youtube.com/vi/_8fVOVZpb2E/sddefault.jpg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_8fVOVZpb2E [Drinks Available at the Venue] Bottled Beer [Sapporo Black Label] – ¥600 Budweiser, Carlsberg (limited quantity) – ¥600 Heineken, Corona, Singha, Tsingtao (limited quantity) – ¥700 Various alcoholic & soft drinks – ¥500 Snacks also available. ※Please note No outside alcohol, but feel free to bring your own food! Eat, drink, and have a great time! Presented by: Sapporo International Short Film Festival | NoMaps Films In
cooperation with: Daruma Hall
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| 20th Sapporo International Short Film Festival Upcoming Festival Schedule: Online Screenings begin November 1st, available throughout Japan. ■ 20th Sapporo International Short Film Festival Online Screenings Dates: November 1-16, 2025 ( 76 films for about two weeks. The final viewing day is scheduled for Sunday, November 16, 2025.) Platform: The official Sapporo International Short Film Festival website (Click “Online Screening” in the upper right corner) URL: https://sapporoshortfest.jp/25/ Navigation: Festival Website > Tickets >
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/67047/51/67047-51-0fe2603a50045ea734f6b2f1d350705d-280×280.png Scan the QR code for “Online” ticket Price: 1,500 JPY Please note: some films from the festival lineup are not included in the online screenings. Special programs are excluded. Tickets will be available for purchase via this page as soon as they are ready. We will update it soon.
Click here for the Japanese release FOR JAPANESE RELEASE, PLEASE GO TO: CONTACT Sapporo International Short Film Festival (NoMaps Executive Committee) Email: info@sapporoshortfest.jp WEB https://sapporoshortfest.jp Facebook https://www.facebook.com/sapporoshortfest X (Former Twitter) https://twitter.com/sapporoshort Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/stories/sapporo.short.fest/ NoMaps Executive Committee | Official HP https://no-maps.jp | Email info@no-maps.jp