Gdynia Filmowa 2026 | Japan from the inside. Film stories from Yamagata

THE VIDEOS SHOWN ARE IN JAPANESE WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES.

Gdynia Filmowa 2026: Japan from the inside. Film stories from Yamagata

As part of the “Window to the World” Film Review on October 11, 2026, we invite you to the Gdynia Film Centre named after Leszek Kopcia for a block of short films from the UNESCO Creative City of Film — Yamagata (Japan). Four documentaries will take viewers to Yamagata, showcasing local traditions, crafts, cuisine and social life. It is a look at Japan from the inside — through the stories of the people, places and values that build the identity of the region.

We will see: The Sake of Yamagata: The Blessing of Mount Zao by SATO Koichi | 2022 | 26 min Documentary dedicated to the centuries-old tradition of sake production in Yamagata, developed in harmony with the local nature and crystal clear water from the slopes of Mount Zao. The film tells the story of three family breweries and people who combine respect for tradition with the search for new directions in the development of this unique Japanese drink.

Tan: The Way of the Master of Swordsmanship KANBAYASHI Tsunehira by NAGAOKA Hiroaki | 2023 | 12 min Portrait of Yamagata's only contemporary swordsmith, the renowned master KANBAYASHI Tsunehira, who has been perfecting the art of Japanese swordsmanship for decades. This is a story about craftsmanship, perseverance and the pursuit of an ideal enclosed in the slogan “strong and beautiful”.

Sunny Spot — The story of the beloved local supermarket by NAGAOKA Hiroaki | 2025 | 11 min The small shop “Endo” has become one of the most important meeting places for the people of Yamagata, bringing people of different generations together around everyday life and local traditions. The film shows how the usual supermarket and the iconic gesoten snack can build social bonds and strengthen the sense of community.

Yamagata × Wagashi — A future built on tradition realized by Local Support Collective BAQSAN | 2022 | 27 min The documentary introduces the culture of wagashi, traditional Japanese sweets that have been an important part of the life of the people of Yamagata for generations. The protagonists of the film are artisans and confectioners who try to preserve the heritage of old recipes while giving it a contemporary dimension.

Videos with subtitles in English. After the screening, we invite you to a matcha preparation show combined with a tasting. Tickets included: 10 PLN.