Seoul Film Center Opens in Chungmuro: "A Platform for Filmmakers and Citizens to Grow Together"

Three Underground and Ten Above-Ground Floors
A Space for Discovering New Directors, AI Education, and Citizen Communication

Seoul Mayor Oh Sehoon (left) and actor Lee Jungjae in conversation Photo by Yonhap News

The Seoul Film Center, a new cultural space dedicated to cinema, opened on November 28 in Chungmuro, Jung-gu, Seoul.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government held the opening ceremony that afternoon at the Seoul Film Center in Chodong, Jung-gu, with more than 200 people in attendance, including film industry professionals and representatives from related organizations. Actors Shin Youngkyun, Park Jeongja, Jang Mihui, Lee Jungjae, Yang Donggeun, and director Kim Hanmin were among the attendees.

The Seoul Film Center is a building with three underground floors and ten above-ground floors, featuring three screening rooms, a special exhibition hall, shared office spaces, and a rooftop theater. The center will focus on three main areas: "advancing the video industry" through discovering new directors and operating a film market; "supporting the growth of filmmakers" by responding to OTT trends and providing AI technology education; and "serving as a cultural communication space for citizens" through dialogues with directors and actors, as well as film premieres and screenings.

In his congratulatory remarks, Mayor Oh Sehoon stated, "The Seoul Film Center is the result of much deliberation to address the changes and challenges in the film industry. We will develop it as an open platform where both filmmakers and citizens can participate and grow together."

On the afternoon of the 28th, at the opening ceremony held at the Seoul Film Center in Jung-gu, Seoul, Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon and actors Shin Young-kyun, Lee Jung-jae, Park Jeong-ja, and other attendees are taking a commemorative photo. Photo by Yonhap News

He went on to say, "Here, production, screening, and education will be seamlessly connected, allowing creators and audiences to naturally interact. From commercial films to independent, artistic, classic, and experimental works, the center will fully embrace the wide spectrum of Korean cinema."

In his congratulatory speech, Shin Youngkyun said, "Our country's film industry must continue to develop, but many theaters in Chungmuro have disappeared. I am deeply moved by the opening of the Film Center."

To commemorate the opening, the Seoul Metropolitan Government will offer free screenings for citizens throughout the month starting December 2, featuring a program that highlights the flow of Korean cinema.

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