Jeonju International Film Festival (JIFF)
South Korea's most important alternative film festival, held annually in April-May in Jeonju, presenting adventurous international and Korean cinema with a particular commitment to formally innovative and independent films that challenge mainstream cinema.
Overview
The Jeonju International Film Festival (JIFF) is South Korea's most important alternative film festival. Founded in 2000 and held annually in April and May in Jeonju -- a historic city in South Korea's Jeolla Province, famous for its traditional hanok village and its extraordinary cuisine -- the festival presents adventurous international and Korean cinema with a commitment to formally innovative and independent work.
JIFF was founded with an explicit mission to create an alternative to the more commercial Korean festival scene. It has consistently championed formally radical cinema, essay films, and work by emerging filmmakers that cannot find a home at more mainstream festivals. The annual Jeonju Cinema Project -- which commissions short or medium-length films from selected filmmakers -- has produced work by internationally acclaimed directors including Apichatpong Weerasethakul, Hou Hsiao-hsien, and Claire Denis.
Jeonju's designation as a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy gives the festival an unusually strong cultural context beyond cinema, with the city's traditional food culture creating a festival environment that celebrates Korean heritage.
Key Sections
- International Competition -- adventurous films competing for jury prizes
- Korean Cinema Today -- new Korean features
- Jeonju Cinema Project -- commissioned films by international filmmakers
- Digital Short Film Competition -- formally innovative digital short films
- Documentary Competition -- nonfiction features
What Filmmakers Should Know
JIFF accepts open submissions for competitive sections. The Jeonju Cinema Project commission is invitation-only but represents one of the most prestigious commissions available to internationally established filmmakers. For Korean independent filmmakers, JIFF is the most important alternative domestic platform.
Major Awards
- JIFF International Competition Award -- Best Film
- Korean Cinema Today Award -- Best Korean Film
- Digital Short Film Award
Festival History
JIFF was founded in 2000 and has developed the Jeonju Cinema Project as its most distinctive programming contribution to world cinema.
See Also
For Korean cinema, see International Film Markets. For BIFF Busan, see Busan International Film Festival.
