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.
Sapporo International Short Film Festival Introduces “The Drunken Program” — A Film Event Blending Cinema and Sake
Sapporo, Japan –
The Sapporo International Short Film Festival (SAPPORO Short Fest) proudly presents its delightfully unconventional “Drunken Program.”
This special screening, held separately from the festival’s main edition, invites audiences to enjoy short films in a relaxed, social setting — with laughter, conversation, and alcohol encouraged and celebrated.
Origins: From a Local Experiment to a Festival Favorite
The Drunken Program began in 2016 as a small independent event called the Drunken Film Festival Sapporo, hosted at NECCO, a local event space.
The idea was simple but radical: to borrow films from the main festival and present them in a casual, 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
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.
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
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 gender balance is roughly equal, with slightly more women. About half of attendees are repeat visitors, reflecting the event’s growing cult following.
A New Kind of Theater Culture
Unlike 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 conventional theater.
For many participants, it’s a once-a-year indulgence — a joyful, communal way to reconnect with the pleasure of watching films together. Some guests even say,
“I don’t usually go to the cinema, but I always 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”
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
[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)：
[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
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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 >
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.
日本語のリリースはこちら
FOR JAPANESE RELEASE, PLEASE GO TO：
https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000041.000067047.html
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実行委員会 | 公式HP https://no-maps.jp ｜メール info@no-maps.jp
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