The 22nd JEONJU International Film Festival Kicks Off Today with the Slogan “Film Goes On.”

? Actors KWON Haehyo and PARK Haseon will host the opening ceremony starting at 7 PM tonight.

? The lineup of 194 titles from 48 countries will help connect the world through cinema, suggesting standards for film festivals during the COVID-19 pandemic.

? All physical events such as theater screenings and Q&As will conform to public health guidelines concerning COVID-19. The audience can also enjoy the festival´s online screenings and video conferences with filmmakers abroad.

The 22nd JEONJU International Film Festival (JEONJU IFF; Festival Director Lee Joondong) kicks off its 10-day journey with its opening ceremony starting at 7 p.m. tonight, at Moak Hall, Sori Arts Center of Jeollabuk-do. The current edition of JEONJU IFF will continue to set new standards for film festivals during the pandemic.

Actors Kwon Haehyo and Park Haseon will host the opening ceremony. Kim Seung-su, festival chairman and the Mayor of Jeonju City, will announce the opening. Band Akdangwangchil (ADG7) will give a celebratory performance. Judges will be introduced on stage and virtually. The jury this year includes actors Bae Jongok, actor Choi Sooyoung, and filmmaker Park Heungsik. Judges who cannot be physically present, including Vanja Kaluđer?i?, festival director of the International Film Festival Rotterdam, will send a video message. Ryu Hyunkyung, an actor, director, and programmer of this year´s special section entitled "J Special: Programmer of the Year" will give a speech on stage.

This year´s opening film is FATHER, the fourth film directed by Serbian filmmaker Srdan Golubovi?. Nikola is a day laborer struggling with poverty. The local government orders him to give up his two children to social service. Determined to raise them himself, he walks across Serbia to take his case directly to the national ministry in Belgrade. It speaks to the issues of injustice and corruption of society. The film screened at many notable venues, including the 70th Berlin International Film Festival, where it won multiple awards.

The official 10-day run will continue after the kick-off. A total of 194 titles will screen at movie theaters. This year´s edition features female independent filmmakers and the pandemic with special sections, “Special Focus: I am Independent” and "Special Focus: Corona, New Normal." The newly created "J Special: Programmer of the Year" adds engaging titles for the audience to enjoy. Similar to last year, 142 out of the 194 titles will be made available for online streaming through the OTT platform wavve (serviced only in South Korea) this year.

JEONJU Project, JEONJU IFF´s signature industry program, is scheduled to open May 3. It is to bring together the film industry´s attention. At this program, the JEONJU lab showcase will find and support filmmaking talents. K-DOC CLASS will provide mentoring services for documentary filmmakers based in Korea. JEONJU Conference will present issues of the industry and invite discussions with the unique perspectives of JEONJU IFF.

Talks and panel discussions will be available online at JEONJU IFF’s official YouTube channel, www.youtube.com/user/jiffmedia.

The 22nd JEONJU IFF runs from April 29 to May 8 in and around Jeonju Film Streets.