South Korea's BIFAN Turns 30, Unveiling AI Competition, Short-Form Strand, and Star-Studded International Lineup

  Still of ‘Obsession’ (provide by Focus Features)  The Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival (BIFAN) marks its 30th edition under the banner "NEW ERA NEW SKIN," unveiling its largest-ever program: 321 titles from 50 countries, comprisin...

Korea's First Full AI Feature Film Raphael Makes International Debut at Cannes Marché du Film

Poster of ‘Raphael’ (provided by Mateo AI Studio)On May 18, Raphael, South Korea's first full AI-generated feature film — co-directed by Yang Ik-june, Moon Sin-woo, and Jung Ju-won — made its international debut at the Cannes Marché du Film. Director Yang Ik-j...

Korea Launches Task Force to Settle Theatrical Holdback Debate, Eyes August Agreement

First meeting of the public-private task force (provided by Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism)South Korea's Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST) and the Korean Film Council (KOFIC) have launched a public-private task force to address one of...

Jung Woo-sung, Wi Ha-joon Join Kim Hong-sun's Global Action Historical Film Salsaengbu

A scene from the webtoon Salsaengbu.Director Kim Hong-sun, who built his international profile withProject Wolf HuntingandGangs of London Season 3, has chosenSalsaengbuas his Korean comeback. With Jung Woo-sung, Jung Sung-il, and Wi Ha-joon confirmed for the c...

Korean AI Films Make Their Mark on the Global Festival Circuit

Poster of ‘The Messenger’ (Provided by HSAD).Two Korean AI films made successive waves on the international stage in the first half of 2026. Messenger, a sci-fi short produced by Park Dong-hwa, an AI director at Korean advertising agency HSAD, won Best AI Film...

BIFF Winner Earns Direct Oscar Eligibility as Academy Expands International Feature Pathway

The Oscar statuette (provided by cineuropa)The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) has significantly overhauled the eligibility rules for the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film, designating the Busan International Film Festival ...

Director Jin Mi-song's Silent Voices Wins Second Prize at Cannes La Cinef

Still of ‘Silent Voices’ (provided by Festival de Cannes)Director Jin Mi-song's short film Silent Voices won Second Prize in the La Cinef section at the 79th Cannes Film Festival on May 21 (local time). Competing against a field of 19 films selected from ...

At Cannes 79, Hope Sells to 200 Territories, Colony to 120 — Korean Genre Cinema Proves Its Global Market Value

Director Na Hong-jin and the cast of Hope (provided by Edaily)Korean cinema reaffirmed its presence in the global marketplace at the 79th Cannes International Film Festival — independent of awards outcomes. This year, Na Hong-jin's Hope and Yeon Sang-ho's Colo...

Park Chan-wook Awarded France's Highest Cultural Honor — First Korean Film Director to Receive the Commandeur

Park Chan-wook receives the Commandeur de l'ordre des Arts et des Lettres (provided by Le Parisien)On May 17, during the 79th Cannes Film Festival, director Park Chan-wook received the Commandeur de l'ordre des Arts et des Lettres — France's highe...

The Day She Returns Secures Distribution Across Seven Territories in North America, Europe, and Asia

Still from ‘The Day She Returns’ (provided by Jeonwonsa Film Co.)Hong Sangsoo's 34th feature, The Day She Returns, had its distribution rights secured by The Cinema Guild for North America before the film even left its festival premiere, followed by deals acro...