South Korea's largest showcase of indie and house cinema, the Jeonju International Film Festival, begins its 27th edition Wednesday evening with an opening ceremony at 6:30 p.m. at the Sori Arts Center in Jeonju. The 10-day event features 237 films from 54 countries, opening with Kent Jones' 'Late Fame'.
The Jeonju International Film Festival (JIFF) kicks off its 27th edition with an opening ceremony at 6:30 p.m. at the Sori Arts Center in Jeonju, about 190 kilometers south of Seoul, organizers said. American filmmaker Kent Jones' "Late Fame," which follows a poet whose quiet life is disrupted by young admirers rediscovering his forgotten work, will open the festival. The film premiered at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival in August last year.
Over the 10-day run, 237 films from 54 countries will screen across Jeonju, including 140 international titles, up 13 from the previous year, according to organizers. The international competition section received 421 submissions from 70 nations, while the Korean competition features 10 films, including four documentaries.
This year includes a special program honoring late actor Ahn Sung-ki, who died in December, showcasing lesser-known works from his career. JIFF will close with Kim Hyun-ji's "Namtaeryeong," about farmers riding tractors to Seoul to demand the impeachment of then-President Yoon Suk Yeol in December 2024.