VisitJeonju.com – The Jeonju International Film Festival (JIFF) 26th has unveiled its full lineup for this year’s event, which will take place from April 30 to May 9. At a press conference held on April 1, organizers shared key highlights, including the opening and closing films, as well as selections from the festival’s main sections.
This year, 224 films will be screened — 98 from Korea and 126 from 56 other countries — with 80 making their world premiere at the festival.
Opening and Closing Films Announced
Leading the festival is “Kontinental ’25” by Romanian director Radu Jude, which opens JIFF 2024. The film, which received the Silver Bear for Best Screenplay at the Berlin International Film Festival earlier this year, is notable for being shot entirely on a smartphone, showcasing a bold and innovative filmmaking technique.
The closing film is “In the Land of Machines” by Korean director Kim Okyoung. This powerful documentary explores the lives of three Nepalese migrant workers in South Korea, focusing on their experiences under the country’s Employment Permit System.
A Diverse Global Selection
This year’s International Competition drew 662 submissions from 86 countries, with 10 films selected for screening. Highlights include “Always” by Chen Deming (China) and “Cycle Mahesh” by Subel Banerjee (India).
In the Korean Competition section, several films revolve around family dynamics, with strong thematic elements of LGBTQ representation and female solidarity.
Spotlight on Democracy and Artistic Voices
One of the festival’s special segments, “Again, Towards Democracy,” features six documentaries that examine political unrest and democratic challenges around the world — offering timely reflections on global democratic values.
Another standout feature is the J Special: Programmer of the Year, this time curated by singer and actor Lee Jung-hyun. Her selection includes three of her own films, as well as:
- “Night Fishing” and “Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance” by Park Chan-wook (Korea)
- “Nobody Knows” by Hirokazu Kore-eda (Japan)
- “The Child” by Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne (Belgium)
A Platform for Global Storytelling
“The Jeonju International Film Festival has solidified its status as a major film festival representing Asia and a valuable platform for creative filmmakers from around the world to communicate with audiences and showcase their artistic worlds,” said Jeonju Mayor Woo Beom-ki, who also chairs the festival’s organizing committee.
“We will keep listening to the opinions of our audience to produce a richer and more meaningful film festival.”
