JIFF kicks off with films from 54 countries

Apr 30, 2026, 09:29 am

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The opening ceremony of the 27th Jeonju International Film Festival was held on April 29 at the Sori Arts Center of Jeollabuk-do in Jeonju. Philip Ahn (third from right), son of the late Ahn Sung-ki, accepted the Special Achievement Award on behalf of his father. /Yonhap

The 27th Jeonju International Film Festival, a major platform for independent and art-house cinema, opened on April 29, launching a 10-day celebration of global filmmaking.

The opening ceremony took place at the Sori Arts Center in Jeonju, hosted by actors Shin Hyun-joon and Ko Won-hee.

Ahead of the ceremony, a red carpet event featured director Kent Jones and actress Greta Lee from the opening film The Private Life of an Artist, along with director Byun Young-joo and actors Bae Jong-ok, Kim Hyun-joo, and Ko Ah-sung.

Festival co-directors Min Sung-wook and Jung Joon-ho officially opened the event and presented a Special Achievement Award to the late Ahn Sung-ki, one of Korea’s most respected actors. His son accepted the award on his behalf, dedicating it to his father.

The opening film, The Private Life of an Artist, previously invited to the Venice International Film Festival, tells the story of Ed, a former poet-turned-postal worker played by Willem Dafoe, who encounters young artists inspired by his past works. Greta Lee portrays Gloria, an aspiring actress who forms a complex emotional connection with him.

This year’s festival features 237 films from 54 countries, including 97 domestic and 140 international works. Among them, 78 are world premieres and 54 are Asian premieres.

In the festival’s main sections, 10 films each will compete in the International Competition and Korean Competition categories. The International Competition received over 420 submissions from around 70 countries, while the Korean Competition notably includes four documentary films.

The closing film, Namtaeryeong, is also a documentary, depicting the so-called “Namtaeryeong battle,” where farmers and women joined forces during a protest march to Seoul in December 2024.

Four special programs will also be presented, including retrospectives on 1960s–70s New York underground artists, a tribute to Ahn Sung-ki, a cinephile section exploring Hong Kong cinema and avant-garde works, and a mini special featuring filmmakers Park Se-young and Ugana Kenichi.

The festival runs through May 8 across the Film Street and various venues in Jeonju.

#Jeonju International Film Festival #JIFF 2026 #independent films #Ahn Sung-ki