The journey of an acclaimed World War II drama from the page to the big screen reaches a pivotal moment this week, as Rosso Films International brings its latest project to one of North America’s most respected festival platforms.
NEW YORK, NY, UNITED STATES, October 9, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — Rosso Films International has confirmed the official New York City Premiere of its highly anticipated film, The Soldier and the Butterfly, directed by AFI Award-winning filmmaker Stefano Da Fre, at the New York Shorts International Film Festival.
What elevates this screening beyond a standard festival stop is the event’s official status as a qualifying competition for the Canadian Screen Awards—an honor widely regarded as the Canadian equivalent of the Oscars, giving the film significant awards-season momentum.
Set against the haunting backdrop of World War II, the film explores the unexpected bond between a Japanese soldier and a Korean woman forced into comfort service. The production blends visual poetry with delicate performances and an immersive musical score, creating a heart-wrenching meditation on compassion, humanity, and redemption amid unspeakable tragedy.
The project was produced alongside executive partner Laura Pellegrini under the banner of Rosso Films International, continuing the company’s established reputation for vibrant visual aesthetics and deeply resonant dramatic storytelling.
Early reactions from critics and festival audiences have already positioned Da Fre’s latest work as a “cinematic triumph” and “a must-see masterpiece.”
“This film is a labor of profound reverence and narrative commitment,” director Stefano Da Fre said. “We sought to tell a story that honors the dignity and humanity of those who endured unimaginable hardship, offering a vision of empathy, remembrance, and artistic truth. To share this project at a festival recognized as a Canadian Screen qualifier makes me incredibly proud. It is a milestone for our company Rosso Films International, and further a highlight of Canadian/Korean cinema for a film that recently went through QEPC (Quebec English Language Production Council)”
PREMIERE & SCREENING DETAILS
Event: New York Shorts International Film Festival — NYC Premiere
Film: The Soldier and the Butterfly
Director: Stefano Da Fre
Producer: Laura Pellegrini | Rosso Films International
Date & Time: October 14th, 2026, 2pm
Location: Cinema Village – Address: 22 East 12th Street (corner of University Place) New York, NY, 10003
Tickets: https://www.nyshorts.net/event-details/weds-oct-14-2-00-pm-prog-32
Official Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BksArvEZ0uU&feature=youtu.be
ABOUT ROSSO FILMS INTERNATIONAL
Rosso Films International is an award-winning independent production company dedicated to impactful, visually stunning, and socially resonant cinema. Led by Stefano Da Fre and Laura Pellegrini, the company develops narrative features, shorts, and documentaries that capture complex human truths for global audiences.
MEDIA CONTACT & PRESS INQUIRIES
Mark L. Goldman
Goldman McCormick PR, INC
+1 (516)639-0988
mark@goldmanmccormick.com
Why it matters: This premiere not only marks a major milestone for an independent production team pushing serious historical drama, but it also positions the film within the Canadian Screen Awards pipeline—a significant step for a story that bridges Korean, Japanese, and Canadian cinematic perspectives.
