Jeonju City is gearing up for the 26th Jeonju International Film Festival, set to take place from April 30 to May 9, 2025. This year’s festival promises to be a memorable experience for both domestic and international visitors, with a wide array of films and events planned.
The festival will be held across several locations, including Jeonju Film Street in Gosa-dong, Jeonbuk University, and Palbok Art Factory. The opening ceremony is scheduled for the Jeonju Korean Traditional Culture Center Moakdang, while the closing ceremony will take place at Jeonbuk University’s Samsung Cultural Center.
As part of its preparations, Jeonju City is transforming the entire city into a vibrant film festival venue. Authorities are conducting intensive safety inspections and implementing measures to ensure a safe and enjoyable atmosphere for all attendees. This includes crackdowns on illegal parking, improving the film street, and regulating illegal advertisements. The city is also working closely with the Jeonju International Film Festival Organizing Committee and the Jeonbuk Provincial Police Agency to bolster safety protocols.
Approximately 2,000 invited guests are expected to attend the festival, which is themed "We Are Always Crossing the Line." This year, a record 1,835 films were submitted in the Korean film category, while the international competition section received 662 entries from 86 countries, showcasing the growing interest in the festival.
The opening film for this year’s festival is "Container 25," directed by Radu Jude, while the closing film will be "From the Land of Machines," directed by Kim Ok-young. In total, 224 films from 57 countries will be screened, highlighting the festival’s international appeal.
In addition to the film screenings, the festival will feature a variety of engaging programs. Among them is the K-Sound event, which will include a "Talk Concert" in collaboration with Live Tone, a leading Korean film sound company known for its work on popular titles like "Parasite" and "Squid Game 2." The K-Sound event aims to promote the understanding and expansion of the Korean film sound effects industry.
From May 1 to May 6, 2025, a promotion booth for the Korean film sound effects platform, K-Sound Library, will be operational at Jeonju Film Street. Heo Jeon, head of the Jeonju Information Culture Industry Promotion Agency, emphasized that the K-Sound Library is the only platform in Korea that features sound effects infused with Korean cultural sentiments. He expressed hopes for ongoing interest and support for K-Sound.
In addition to K-Sound initiatives, the festival will also showcase Australian films as part of the 2025 Jeonju World Culture Week-Australia Culture Week. Under the theme "Another Different Australian Film: From the 1980s to the Present," seven Australian films will be featured, further enriching the festival’s cultural exchange.
Moreover, the festival will host a "Canada Focus" program, an exchange initiative with the Vancouver International Film Festival, aimed at enhancing cultural ties between the two regions. This initiative is expected to foster collaboration and showcase diverse cinematic voices.
To support independent filmmakers, a new program called "Jeonju Casting" will be launched in collaboration with three major management companies, including SM Entertainment. This initiative is designed to provide resources and opportunities for independent film production, reflecting the festival’s commitment to nurturing new talent in the industry.
Volunteers play a crucial role in the success of the festival, and this year, around 420 volunteers will be organized into 12 teams and 24 parts to assist with various tasks, including audience engagement, technical support, and media promotion. Their efforts will ensure that the festival runs smoothly and that visitors have a positive experience.
As the festival approaches, the excitement is palpable. Local officials are encouraging residents and visitors alike to participate in this vibrant celebration of film. No Eun-young, the director of the Jeonju City Culture, Sports, and Tourism Bureau, remarked, "We have prepared a variety of programs and films, and we hope many viewers and citizens will come together to enjoy this spring film festival."
With its diverse lineup of films, engaging programs, and strong community support, the 26th Jeonju International Film Festival is poised to be a highlight of the cultural calendar, showcasing not only the best in cinema but also the rich cultural heritage of Jeonju.
