What did President Lee Jae Myung say after Lee Chang-dong won at the Venice Film Festival?

He congratulated Lee Chang-dong, the actors, and staff members, and said he would cheer for the bright journey of Korean cinema. He also said he hoped the award would help diversify Korean films and bring them to wider audiences worldwide.

Why was Lee Chang-dong's Venice award considered significant for Korean cinema?

It was the first Korean film prize at Venice since Kim Ki-duk won the Golden Lion for Pieta in 2012. The president framed it as a moment that could broaden the reach and diversity of Korean films.

Where had President Lee recently met Lee Chang-dong before the Venice award?

He met Lee Chang-dong and the film’s actors on the sidelines of the Lumiere Summit on the future of cinema in Saint-Paul-de-Vence. Lee said he had heard about the strong local attention the film received during that meeting.

Lee congratulates Korean director on Venice film festival award

Listen

Summary

President Lee Jae Myung congratulated Korean director Lee Chang-dong in Seoul on Sunday after Lee won the Silver Lion Grand Jury Prize at the Venice International Film Festival with Possible Love. He praised the cast and crew and said he would cheer for the future of Korean cinema. Lee said he hoped the award would help diversify Korean films and widen their global audience.

Key Facts

Lee Chang-dong won the Silver Lion Grand Jury Prize at the 83rd Venice International Film Festival with Possible Love.
The award was announced after the festival in Venice on Saturday local time.
It was the first Korean film to win a prize at Venice since Kim Ki-duk won the Golden Lion for Pieta in 2012.
President Lee Jae Myung said he met the director and actors at the Lumiere Summit on the future of cinema in Saint-Paul-de-Vence last Monday.
The summit was co-chaired by President Lee and French President Emmanuel Macron.

By Yonhap

Published Sep 13, 2026 8:08 pm KST

President Lee Jae Myung speaks during a meeting with senior aides at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul, Friday. Yonhap

President Lee Jae Myung on Sunday extended congratulations to Korean film director Lee Chang-dong on winning the Silver Lion Grand Jury Prize at the prestigious Venice International Film Festival.

"I once again sincerely congratulate the director, all the actors and staff members. I will cheer for the bright journey of Korean cinema down the road," the president wrote on his X account.

Lee issued the message after the director's winning of the award at the 83rd edition of the Italian film festival held in Venice on Saturday (local time) with "Possible Love."

It is the first Korean film to win a prize at the Venice film fest since Kim Ki-duk clinched the Golden Lion for his crime thriller "Pieta" in 2012.

"I hope that on the occasion of this award, our films will be further diversified and many films will reach wider audiences across the world," the president said.

The president met with the director and actors of the film on the sidelines of the Lumiere Summit on the future of cinema, which he co-chaired with French President Emmanuel Macron last Monday in Saint-Paul-de-Vence.

"During the past Lumiere Summit, I heard from you about the enthusiastic local attention to the film during our meeting ... I am delighted that expectations at that time led to a great outcome," Lee said.

Explore More