The 27th JEONJU International Film Festival (JEONJU IFF, Festival Co-Directors MIN Sungwook and JUNG Junho) unveiled the selection of the Local Independent Cinema Showcase.
This section aims to highlight the achievements and significance of regional independent film associations over the past year, offering an opportunity to reflect on their work with audiences. It empowers the regional independent filmmakers who continue to deliver significant artistic achievements despite navigating a challenging production landscape.
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| △ Special Screening: Local Independent Cinema Showcase Feature Films (In Korean Alphabetical Order) |
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| △ Special Screening: Local Independent Cinema Showcase Short Films (In Korean Alphabetical Order) |
This year’s lineup consists of 13 films, comprised of 6 feature films and 7 short films. The final selection was determined through a rigorous evaluation process involving 8 regional independent film associations: Gangwon-do, Gwangju, Daegu·Gyeongsangbuk-do, Daejeon, Busan, Incheon, Jeonbuk-do, and Jeju-do.
Reflecting on this year's selection, the jury remarked: “local cinema today is not confined strictly to geographic boundaries.” Emphasizing the resilience of creators, they added, “Yet we believe that the most important value of the term local cinema lies in sustaining the desire to make films anywhere.”
Screenings of the Local Independent Cinema Showcase will meet the audience at the 27th JEONJU International Film Festival, which will take place over 10 days from April 29 (Wed) to May 8 (Fri), 2026, across Jeonju City.
Commentary on Local Independent Cinema Showcase
First and foremost, we would like to extend our sincere congratulations and support to the films and filmmakers that have been selected. The jury had diverse opinions throughout the selection process, and it should be noted that the final decisions were not reached easily. Many of the films that were ultimately not selected also received leveled support during the deliberations. Given the relatively small number of submissions, and our belief that such categorization would not necessarily be meaningful, we have chosen not to identify any particular trends in terms of themes or subject matter.
Evaluating local cinema is challenging. The scope of what constitutes a local cinema may vary from person to person, and perspectives on the purpose and fairness of this section can also differ. With an open mind, we approached the selection process with careful restraint, remaining particularly mindful not to allow the local cinema to lower its own standards of qualification. The process was so difficult that we felt compelled to express such an obvious statement here.
While it may not amount to a clear trend, one brief impression we gathered from watching films produced in various regions is that a wide range of creative attempts are being made without restraint. Local cinema today is not confined strictly to geographic boundaries—rather, it is being created freely without a fixed center. Some may find it unfortunate that relatively few films explicitly express a distinctive regional identity or specificity. Yet we believe that the most important value of the term local cinema lies in sustaining the desire to make films anywhere.
We conclude by expressing our gratitude to all those who have made films in respective regions, and by asking for continued interest and support for regional cinema.
The Preliminary Juries of Local Independent Cinema Showcase
KO Hyuck-jin, KIM Seulgi, GIM Jiyeon, MIN Byunghoon, SHIN Minchan, LEE Sejin, JANG Byungki, HAN Seha
The 27th JEONJU IFF Local Independent Cinema Showcase Selection
※Listed in the Korean alphabetical order
[Features]
| Title |
Director |
Genre |
Filming Location |
| On a beautiful day |
KWON Yongjin |
Fiction |
Busan |
| BangBang and Planaria |
PARK Heejin |
Documentary |
Gangwon-do |
| Stars and Sand |
KAM Jeongwon |
Fiction |
Daegu·Gyeongsangbuk-do |
| Curry of the day |
JO Meehye |
Fiction |
Jeonbuk-do |
| The time of Jeju |
KIM Dawoon |
Documentary |
Jeju-do |
| Coming of Age |
JEONG Seung-o |
Fiction |
Incheon |
[Shorts]
| Title |
Director |
Genre |
Filming Location |
| Noise Canceling |
HAN Minyoung |
Fiction |
Daejeon |
| Haunt |
LIM Jihun |
Documentary |
Busan |
| No Diving |
JANG Hyun-been |
Fiction |
Daegu·Gyeongsangbuk-do |
| Starting over |
KIM Soyeong |
Fiction |
Gwangju |
| Connection—Fantasy |
PARK Hanna |
Documentary |
Jeju-do |
| Men Wandering in the Mountain |
PARK Minuk |
Fiction |
Gangwon-do |
| First Line |
LEE Dayoung |
Fiction |
Incheon |
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