Makers of last year's indie hits to keep films in theaters in push for broader access

Directors and producers behind three of Korea’s notable indie films from last year have pledged to keep their films in theaters through the end of this year and create more opportunities to meet audiences face-to-face, pushing back against shrinking theatrical windows.

The initiative is part of the “Slow Cinema Movement,” rolling out under the slogan "Until we can meet you, until you come to us, we will keep showing these films in theaters," which seeks to build solidarity among filmmakers, theaters and audiences in support of longer theatrical runs for independent films.

The movement was announced Friday at a press conference in Jung District, central Seoul, by the creators and executives behind the indie films “The Final Semester” (2025), “1980 Sabuk” (2025) and “Words from the Wind” (2025), along with other industry figures.

The filmmakers of the three movies have already kept their films in theaters through rental screenings and community screenings, according to Lee Eun, the chair of the Korean Film Producers Association. They plan to keep the movies off streaming platforms at least through this year. The nine organizers of the Slow Cinema Movement hope this can serve as a model for other indie productions.

Choi Nak-yong, the head of the Korea Arthouse Cinema Association, said the movement was created to address systemic barriers that independent filmmakers face in getting their work screened in theaters, including at major multiplex chains.

According to a Korean Film Council report, independent and art films accounted for 18 percent of theatrical releases last year but only 2 percent of screens, Choi said. Screening times are also deeply uneven, he added, with ticket sales for indie films often opening only two days before release.

“Theaters say there are no films to screen, but independent films have no theaters willing to screen them,” said Lee Eun.

Against this backdrop, viewers are missing out on independent films in theaters, where the cinematic experience can be maximized, the organizers said. And as many independent films deal with themes that would make them less commercial for streaming platforms, theaters are sometimes the only places where they can be watched.

“I hope audiences will come to theaters and watch films as they are meant to be seen, in a good environment,” said Yang Hee, director of the music documentary “Words from the Wind.” “I also want to give audiences back the experience of watching films together, not alone, and talking about them together.”

BY KIM JU-YEON [[email protected]]