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- World-renowned filmmaker Pedro Costa visits Jeonju with the 4K remastered version of CASA DE LAVA and an exclusive first look at his upcoming project!
- Master Class sessions will feature legendary Korean filmmaker Bae Chang-ho, acclaimed British director Christopher Petit, and producer Montse Triola.
- JEONJU Talk! Talk! will host a diverse range of guests including Lee Ilha, director of Horoomon, actors Ryu Hyun-kyung and Lee Heejun, and many more!
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The JEONJU International Film Festival (JEONJU IFF, Festival Co-Directors Min Sungwook and Jung Junho), which is gearing up for its Opening Day on April 30 (Wed), unveiled its main program events and international guests. Esteemed cinema professionals from Korea and around the world will gather in Jeonju to engage with audiences, heightening anticipation more than ever.
Master Class—featuring distinguished experts who have made remarkable contributions to cinema and established a unique presence in their field—will include master filmmaker Bae Chang-ho, a leading figure of Korean cinema’s golden age in the 1980s and 1990s; acclaimed British director Christopher Petit, known for the 1979 cult classic Radio On and London Orbital (2002); Montse Triola, long-time producer of Albert Serra’s entire filmography and a featured guest in the Special Focus: Possible Cinemas section; and finally, Pedro Costa, who visits to the JEONJU IFF with a Special Screening of his 1994 film CASA DE LAVA.
A special highlight will be the 4K restoration of CASA DE LAVA, offering audiences a refreshed viewing experience of Costa’s masterpiece. During his Master Class at the 26th JEONJU IFF, Costa is also expected to share a glimpse into his forthcoming project.
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| ▲ From the left: Pedro COSTA, BAE Chang-ho, Christopher PETIT, Montse TRIOLA |
Journey to Cinema, a program featuring film scholars and critics who help audiences move beyond simply watching films to understanding them through rich interpretation and historical context, invites a distinguished lineup of moderators. These include renowned film critic Adrian Martin, Leonardo Bomfim, programmer at Cinemateca Capitólio, film critic and historian Beatrice Loayza, Haden Guest, Director of the Harvard Film Archive, film critic Kim Byeonggyu, Jung Sung-il, and independent curator Kim Eunhee.
Cinema Conversation, a program offering in-depth, multi-layered discussions that extend beyond the films themselves to explore broader themes and connections, will host guests such as Jerome Yoo (Mongrels in World Cinema), and Tsuta Tetsuichiro and Kubodera Koichi (Black Ox in World Cinema).
These sessions will be guided by special moderators including director Sharon Choi, senior staff writer Kim Eunji from SISAIN, and other invited experts from various fields. For 60 minutes following each screening, audiences will be offered a deeper, more enriched understanding and interpretation of the film.
J Special Class, part of the J Special: Programmer of the Year section, will present a selection of films carefully curated by Lee Jung-hyun, accompanied by post-screening conversations with directors, actors, and other contributors—offering audiences valuable insights into these works. For this session, director Ahn Goocjin (Alice in Earnestland), and Park Chan-wook and Park Chan-kyong (NIGHT FISHING) will join the audience for a 60-minute discussion following the screenings.
Meanwhile, the 26th JEONJU IFF will spotlight the work of Lee Jangwook, director at Space Cell, who continues to actively produce films in Korea. The program will feature both his acclaimed past works and his latest film. In an age where much of our lives unfold online, there’s something uniquely refreshing about watching a film to the soft whir of a projector. The Photosynthesis performance takes this analog experience even further, using two 16mm projectors to create a distinctive and immersive encounter with the medium. Live Film Performance: Photosynthesis Part 1 is scheduled to be held twice—on May 3 (Sat) and May 5 (Mon).
JEONJU Talk! Talk! the signature talk program of the JEONJU IFF, features casual, engaging conversations about festival experiences, behind-the-scenes stories, and on-set anecdotes from filmmakers. This year’s lineup includes special guests such as director Lee Ilha of Horoomon (JEONJU Cinema Project), joined by Japanese-Korean cast members Shin Sugok and Keiko. Also featured are director and actor Ryu Hyun-kyung; Lee Heejun, director of Rectangle, Triangle and actor in Güle-Güle (Korean Cinema section); and a variety of other unique, multi-talented guests. JEONJU Talk! Talk! will take place from May 3 (Sat) to May 5 (Mon) at ONCE, TIME OFF SHOWROOM (1st floor, 94 Jeonjugaeksa 3-gil, Wansan-gu, Jeonju).
Lastly, Talk in Spring, an outdoor talk session held at J Stage in the Festival Zone, offers audiences the chance to meet filmmakers while enjoying the beautiful spring atmosphere of Jeonju. The team behind the TV drama series Tastefully Yours—including Park Danhee, Han Junhee, Kang Haneul, Go Minsi, Kim Shinrok, Yoo Soobin, Hong Hwa-yeon, and Bae Yu-ram—will participate in this special session to engage with the audience.
In addition, the JEONJU IFF has prepared special events such as Book Talk Celebrating the Publication of Possible Cinemas and Meet the Festival.
To celebrate the release of Possible Cinemas, this talk will provide an opportunity to meet filmmakers who explore alternative approaches to filmmaking. Guests include Park Songyeol, Won Hyangra, and Declan Clarke, with Park Agnes moderating. The event will take place on May 5 (Mon), at ONCE, TIME OFF SHOWROOM. Meet the Festival offers a unique chance to gain insight into the world of film festivals and film organizations through direct conversations with industry professionals. On May 3 (Sat), the session will feature Nicolas Raffin and Cheng Pinhung, moderated by Son Cecile Hyojeong. On May 5 (Mon), Curtis Woloschuk and Émilie Poirier will join as guest speakers.
The full schedule of the 26th JEONJU IFF’s rich and in-depth program events, along with the guest list, will be available on the official JEONJU IFF website (https://eng.jeonjufest.kr/).
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