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Jeonju International Film Festival to kick off Wednesday with both local and international works

Published: 27 Apr. 2026, 13:55 Updated: 27 Apr. 2026, 18:48

CHO YONG-JUN
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Actor Ahn So-hee attends the 26th Jeonju International Film Festival in Jeonju, North Jeolla, on April 30, 2025. [NEWS1]

Jeonju International Film Festival (JIFF) will kick off on Wednesday, honoring major releases from both in and outside of Korea under the slogan “ Beyond the Frame.”

The 27th edition of the JIFF will be open until May 8 for a 10-day run at the Sori Arts Center in Deokjin District, as well as other spots around the city in Jeonju, North Jeolla, featuring 237 films from 54 countries, its organizers said Monday.

A major portion of the red carpet ceremony will be dedicated to late actor Ahn Sung-ki, who died on Jan. 5. The event will feature a special commemorative exhibition hosted by fellow actors, and JIFF will also recognize Ahn with a special achievement award, which will be received by his son, Ahn Philip. The actor, whose career spanned over six decades and more than 180 movies, was best known for his films “Silmido” (2003) and “Radio Star” (2006), as well as many others.

The opening ceremony will be hosted by actors Go Won-hee and Shin Hyun-joon.

U.S. filmmaker Kent Jones' film “Late Fame” will be screened as the opening film at the festival, which had its world premiere at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival last year.

The closing film of the festival will be “The Longest Night: Namtaeryeong,” a documentary directed by Kim Hyun-ji, about farmers and people who have successfully surmounted blockades set by the police.

The JIFF, in collaboration with Universal Pictures, will also show “Super Mario Bros. Movie” (2023) for free at the outdoor viewing area of the Megabox Jeonju branch from Friday to May 5 at 7 p.m. There also will be a pop-up store and special photo zones around the city.

BY CHO YONG-JUN [[email protected]]