Jeonju International Film Festival Shakes Off COVID-19 Aftereffects and Makes a Comeback

Normal Progress of Film Screenings... Opening Film 'Abeoji-ui Gil' · Closing Film 'Joseph'

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The Jeonju International Film Festival, an independent and art film festival, is making a comeback after the aftermath of COVID-19.

On the 6th, Lee Jundong, the executive director, stated at the screening announcement press conference held at the Jeonju Digital Independent Cinema, "This year, we will proceed with normal film screenings and introduce films from around the world." The slogan is also 'Film Goes On.' From the 29th of this month to the 8th of next month, 186 films (116 feature films and 70 short films) from 48 countries will be showcased at seventeen theaters around Jeonju Film Street and on the real-time video streaming service (OTT) Wavve. Lee said, "We hope to talk about hope for the world again through films."

The opening film is "Father's Path," directed by Serbian director Srđan Golubovi?. It highlights the struggles of Nikola, a father of two children working as a day laborer who does not receive proper wages, trapped in the cycle of poverty. Programmer Jeon Jinsu explained, "It points out the reality where modern social security systems do not comfort struggling families but rather hurt them."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The closing film is "Joseph," directed by French director Aur?l. It portrays the turbulent life of illustrator Joseph Bartoli, who fled the Spanish Civil War and stayed in a camp in France, through animation. Programmer Jeon introduced it as "reflecting the life of an artist with a unique drawing style, evoking various emotions."

The opening film will be screened at Moakdang, Korean Sound Culture Hall, and the closing film at CGV Jeonju Gosa Theater 1. Previously, screenings were held at the 'Jeonju Dome' in Jeonju Okto parking lot, but the venue was changed to a place where access can be controlled as a COVID-19 prevention measure.

The flagship section, 'Jeonju Cinema Project,' includes the documentary "No Hoe-chan, 6411," which contains the beliefs and philosophy of the late former lawmaker No Hoe-chan, as well as director Lim Heungsun's "Embrace," director Lee Seungwon's "Three Sisters," and director Ted Fendt's "Outside Noise." Sections such as 'Special Focus: COVID, New Normal,' reflecting on the COVID-19 pandemic and focusing on changes, and 'Special Focus: Independent Women,' highlighting seven female directors, will also be held.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.