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Korean feature films failed to secure invitations to either the official or sidebar sections of the 78th Cannes Film Festival, set to take place next month. The photo shows festival director Thierry Frémaux presenting this year's official lineup during a press conference in Paris, France, on April 10. / Reuters-Yonhap News

For the first time in 26 years, no Korean feature films have been invited to either the official or unofficial sections of the Cannes Film Festival. This marks the first complete absence of Korean feature representation since 1999 at the world-renowned event, now preparing for its 78th edition next month.

The festival’s executive committee announced the official selection—including titles in the main competition, non-competition, Midnight Screenings, and Un Certain Regard—during a press conference in Paris on April 10. On April 15, it followed up by revealing the lineups for the parallel sections, Directors’ Fortnight and Critics’ Week, via the festival's official website.

Critics’ Week and Directors’ Fortnight, established in 1962 and 1969 respectively, are known for spotlighting emerging filmmakers and distinct cinematic voices. Past Korean entries in these sections have included Coin Locker Girl by Han Jun-hee (Critics’ Week, 2015), Sleep by Yoo Jae-sun (Critics’ Week, 2023), Crying Fist by Ryoo Seung-wan (Directors’ Fortnight, 2005), and The Host by Bong Joon-ho (Directors’ Fortnight, 2006).

Despite strong contenders such as Yeon Sang-ho’s The Ugly Kim Mi-jo’s A Trip to Gyeongju, and Kim Byung-woo’s Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint reportedly being submitted this year, no Korean films were selected for any section. This comes on the heels of the official section also excluding Korean films for the first time in 12 years.

Since Im Kwon-taek’s Chunhyang debuted in competition in 2000, Korean cinema has maintained a strong presence at Cannes, with 19 Korean films featured in the main competition through 2022. Highlights include Decision to Leave by Park Chan-wook and Broker, directed by Hirokazu Kore-eda and produced by a Korean company, both of which were invited in 2022. Korean cinema has also been a regular in sections like Midnight Screenings, showcasing high-quality commercial films almost every year. Most notably, Bong Joon-ho’s Parasite won the prestigious Palme d’Or in 2019.

The 78th Cannes Film Festival will take place from May 14 to 25 in the southern French city of Cannes. French actress Juliette Binoche will serve as president of the main competition jury, and Robert De Niro will receive an honorary Palme d’Or.