Sakura at BIF&ST 2026

Director Paolo Doppieri at Bif&st International Fim Festival.

Marzo 17, 2026

Sakura – Land of Symphony has been selected for the 2026 edition of the Bif&st – Bari International Film Festival, where it will screen in competition within the Sarò Breve section on March 21 at the Multicinema Galleria. The selection places the film within a festival known for its curatorial rigor and for highlighting works that combine narrative clarity, visual research, and cultural resonance.

“The true strength of the Festival lies in its bond or pact with its audience, which is more than an audience: it is an authentic community.”

Founded in 2009 and shaped by the artistic direction of Oscar Iarussi, Bif&st has established itself as a festival with an international outlook, attentive to cinema as a space of dialogue and critical reflection. Its programming emphasizes the encounter between filmmakers and audiences, reinforcing a vision of cinema as an active cultural conversation.

Paolo Doppieri’s Sakura – Land of Symphony arrives in Bari after its world premiere at Expo Osaka 2025, where early press reactions underscored its evocative tone and its exploration of cultural encounter. These responses helped define the film’s public identity and contributed to its momentum within a broader artistic context.

“The Sarò Breve section offers visibility to emerging and established authors, confirming the short film as a vital territory of research and renewal in contemporary cinema.”

The Sarò Breve competition offers a natural continuation of this trajectory. Dedicated to short films that explore new expressive directions, it provides a platform aligned with the film’s aesthetic and conceptual approach. The screening in Bari is part of the festival run curated by Premiere Film and marks a new chapter in a path that continues to evolve across different cultural landscapes.