Florence Korea Film Fest

Overview

The Florence Korea Film Fest is Italy's most important Korean cinema festival. Founded in 2007 and held annually in June in Florence, the festival presents the best of contemporary and classic Korean cinema to Italian audiences in one of the world's most extraordinary cultural cities.

The festival was founded at the height of the Korean Wave (Hallyu) global cultural phenomenon and has tracked the extraordinary international rise of Korean cinema through the careers of directors including Park Chan-wook, Bong Joon-ho, Lee Chang-dong, and Hong Sang-soo, all of whom have been celebrated at the festival.

Florence's Renaissance heritage and its status as a center of artistic excellence create a fitting backdrop for Korean cinema, which has itself become one of the world's most artistically significant national cinemas.

Key Sections

• Korean Film Competition -- new Korean films competing for jury prizes
• Classic Korean Cinema -- retrospective screenings of Korean film history
• Korean Short Films -- short film program
• Special Events -- Q&As with Korean filmmakers and cultural events
• Korean Food and Culture -- events connecting cinema with broader Korean cultural experiences

What Filmmakers Should Know

Florence Korea Film Fest programs through curatorial relationships with Korean distributors and film organizations. For Korean filmmakers, the festival provides important European market exposure through Italy's cultural gateway city. The festival's Florence audience is knowledgeable and enthusiastic about Asian cinema.

Major Awards

• Audience Award -- voted by Florence festival audiences
• Best Korean Film -- jury prize

Festival History

Florence Korea Film Fest was founded in 2007 and has operated continuously, tracking the remarkable global ascent of Korean cinema culture over its years of operation.

See Also

For Korean cinema, see International Film Markets. For festival strategy, see Film Festival Strategy.