Jeonju Int’l Film Festival set for 26th year with diverse lineup, record ticket buzz
People wait in line to purchase tickets for the upcoming Jeonju International Film Festival at Jeonju Cine Complex in Jeonju, North Jeolla Province, April 15. Newsis
The global cinematic spotlight turns to Jeonju as the city in North Jeolla Province kicks off the 26th Jeonju International Film Festival (JIFF) on Wednesday, which runs through May 9. Under the slogan "Beyond the Frame," this year's edition will offer 10 days of cinematic exploration, showcasing independent, alternative and artistic films from around the globe.
Launched in 2000, JIFF has solidified its reputation as a key Asian film festival, championing creative filmmakers and providing a platform for dialogue between artists and audiences. This year's theme underscores the JIFF's long-standing identity, highlighting its commitment to seeking new modes of expression and breaking cinematic boundaries.
This year's festival will screen 224 films from 57 countries, including 126 international and 98 domestic selections. Among these, 80 films are making their world premiere in Jeonju.
Kicking off the event is the highly anticipated opening film, “Kontinental '25,” the latest work from acclaimed Romanian director Radu Jude.
Described as a "young genius" by programmers, Jude's film, which won the Silver Bear for Best Screenplay award at this year's Berlin International Film Festival, explores the moral crisis of a Transylvanian bailiff who witnesses an unexpected death, questioning societal norms.
"We selected the work of director Radu Jude, whose latest work the film industry is most curious about," JIFF programmer Moon Sung-kyung said. "Notably, this film employs new production methods, such as shooting entirely on a smartphone, which we believe aligns with our festival's spirit of 'alternative and independent' filmmaking."
A scene from the Jeonju International Film Festival’s opening film “Kontinental '25” / Courtesy of JIFF
Closing the festival on May 9 is “In the Land of Machines,” a documentary by Korean filmmaker Kim Ok-young. The film offers an intimate look into the lives of three Nepalese migrant workers in Korea. Moon highlighted director Kim's 40-year career in documentary filmmaking and the film's distinct perspective.
"The film holds a unique perspective by portraying Korea through the eyes of Nepalese workers. The intersection of poetry and documentary is also an aspect that will intrigue viewers,” Moon said.
Competition sections remain a core element of the JIFF.
The International Competition features 10 films selected from 662 submissions across 86 countries. Also, the Korean Competition section saw record-breaking submission numbers for the second consecutive year.
A scene from the Jeonju International Film Festival’s closing film “In the Land of Machines” / Courtesy of JIFF
Exploring contemporary issues, a special curated section has been titled Again, Toward Democracy. Featuring six documentaries, including “The Last Republican,” following Adam Kinzinger, a former U.S. Republican representative who takes a stand against U.S. President Donald Trump, and “At this Moment, in the Nation’s Sky,” a documentary detailing Brazilian elections, the section aims to provoke thought about democratic crisis worldwide.
The festival also features the unique and popular J Special: Programmer of the Year, where a film professional is chosen as a programmer to present cinema that aligns with their personal taste to the audience.
Actor and singer Lee Jung-hyun took on the role this year to screen three of her own films — “A Petal” (1996), “Night Fishing” (2011) and “Alice In Earnestland” (2015) — and three other works, including Park Chan-wook’s 2002 film, “Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance.”
Anticipation for the festival is running high, evidenced by record-breaking ticket sales. As of last Friday, over 85 percent of tickets were already sold, up 26.8 percent from last year. Tickets for the opening ceremony sold out in just 2 minutes and 38 seconds, with some individual screenings selling out within 10 seconds, the organizing committee said Monday. Seventy-three screenings are already fully booked, with high demand for special events like Lee Jung-hyun's J Special section and the Jeonju Cine Tour programs.