Korean Films Set New Record for Most Submissions for the Second Consecutive Year!
2025-02-07 09:00:00Hits 144
Press Release 05
The 26th JEONJU International Film Festival
Korean Films Set New Record for Most Submissions for the Second Consecutive Year!
- A total of 1,835 Korean films were submitted, an increase of 234 from the previous year… A remarkable achievement amid the Korean film industry’s depression
- Submissions include 165 films for Korean Competition, 1,510 films for Korean Competition for Shorts, 46 films for Local Cinema, and 114 films for Non-Competition Section (Feature Films)
The JEONJU International Film Festival(JEONJU IFF, Co-Directors Min Sungwook and Jung Junho) achieved the highest number of submissions for the second consecutive year. A total of 1,835 films were submitted this year, an increase of 234 films compared to last year, marking a significant achievement despite challenges in the Korean film industry.
▲ The 25th JEONJU IFF Award Ceremony
The 26th JEONJU IFF opened its submission for Korean films for a three-month period, from November to January. Korean Films sections consist of:
Korean Competition: for directors’ first or second feature films
Korean Competition for Shorts: for short films of various genres and themes
Local Cinema: for films made by directors or producers based in Jeonbuk State,students from universities in Jeonbuk, or where over 50% of the shooting locations are in Jeonbuk.
Non-Competition Section (Feature Films): open to all feature films of any genre
As a result, a total of 1,835 films were submitted, including 165 films for Korean Competition, 1,510 films for Korean Competition for Shorts, 46 films for Local Cinema, and 114 films for the non-competition section (feature films). This marks an increase of 234 films from last year’s 1,601 submissions. Given the ongoing challenges in the Korean film industry, setting new submission records for two consecutive years is truly remarkable. For these notable results, programmer Moon Seok expressed his gratitude to filmmakers, saying, “I sincerely appreciate the dedication to filmmaking despite numerous challenges.” He added, "Like the diverse Korean films screened at recent editions of the JEONJU IFF, I hope these films will resonate with both audiences and critics."
In each section, Korean Competition received 165 submissions, an increase of 31 films from last year's 134 submissions. By genre, dramas dominated with 117 films (70.9%), followed by 33 documentaries (20.0%), 9 experimental films (5.5%), 5 films from other genres (3.0%), and one animated film (0.6%). At the same time, Korean Competition for Shorts saw an increase of 178 films compared to last year’s 1,332 submissions. By genre, drama accounted for the highest proportion with 1,215 films (80.5%), which were followed by 122 animated films (8.1%), 79 experimental films (5.2%), 72 documentary films (4.8%), and 22 other genres (1.5%). In the non-competition (feature films), an increase of 26 films was recorded compared to last year’s 88 submissions. By genre, dramas took the largest proportion with 68 films (59.7%), followed by 36 documentaries (31.6%), 7 experimental films (6.1%), and 3 films from other genres (2.6%).
Meanwhile, the 26th JEONJU IFF closed its submissions with a total of 2,497 films, including 662 entries for the International Competition and 1,835 Korean films. This marks an increase of 149 films from last year’s total of 2,348 (2,260 films excluding non-competition feature films), setting a new record for the JEONJU IFF.
The final selection of Korean films for the competition will be announced in March 2025, and screenings of the non-competition (feature films) at a press conference for the screening announcement. The 26th JEONJU IFF will be held from April 30 to May 9 throughout Jeonju.
