Documentary on Nepali migrant workers brings the curtain down on Korea’s premier independent film event
JEONJU, North Jeolla Province — The 26th Jeonju International Film Festival concluded its ten-day run on Friday evening, capping off an event that presented 224 films from 57 countries to over 70,000 attendees.
This year's edition maintained its focus on independent and experimental cinema, with 80 works making their world premieres across various sections. Earlier in the week, American director Joel Alfonso Vargas's family drama "Mad Bills to Pay" took home the Grand Prize in the international competition, while Cho Hyun-suh's "Winter Light" received the top honor in the Korean competition.
Press conference highlights solid attendance despite challenges
At a press conference held Friday afternoon at the Jeonju Digital Independent Cinema, festival organizers reflected on this year’s achievements.
According to the organizing committee, the festival recorded an 81.6 percent seat occupancy rate— a 2.3 percentage point increase from the previous year. Of the 586 screenings, 448 sold out completely, marking a notable rise from last year’s turnout.
The robust numbers came in spite of financial headwinds, according to Min Sung-wook, co-executive director of the festival.
"The Korean Film Council cut our budget by 150 million won with little notice," Min said. "That’s a significant loss for a festival like ours. Thankfully, the city of Jeonju stepped in to help cover the gap. We hope the incoming administration shows greater support for cultural and artistic funding."
Co-executive director Jung Jun-ho underscored the strength of this year’s programming, which featured masterclasses with four leading figures: Korean director Bae Chang-ho, British filmmaker Christopher Petit, Spanish producer Montse Triola, and Portuguese auteur Pedro Costa.
"Independent cinema is where film starts drawing its broader canvas," Jung said. "Watching so many premieres unfold here reminded me of our responsibility. Although the industry is facing tough times, we've pushed to bring more films to audiences."
Closing ceremony spotlights migrant workers' voice
The closing ceremony, held at Jeonbuk National University’s Samsung Cultural Center, drew a capacity crowd to the 1,500-seat venue. Actors Kang Gil-woo and Kim Bo-ra hosted the event, which opened with a tribute to this year’s award winners.
A fusion performance blending traditional Korean dance, pansori and breakdance segued into the evening’s centerpiece: a screening of the closing film "In the Land of Machines," directed by Kim Ok-young.
The documentary follows three Nepali migrant workers in Korea who contributed to a 2020 poetry collection titled "This Is the City of Machines," which featured 69 poems by 35 Nepali laborers. Programmer Moon Seok introduced the film as a compelling reframing of Korea seen through the eyes of immigrants, noting that Kim brings four decades of experience as a documentary scriptwriter to her directorial debut.
Kim appeared on stage alongside one of the film’s featured workers, Jiban Khatri, and writer Lee Ki-joo, who translated the poetry collection into Korean.
"When I first read the poems, I was struck by the idea that these workers were quietly observing us," Kim said. "They can’t speak freely at work because of their vulnerable positions, but through poetry, they offer honest reflections on Korean society and people. I hope this film becomes a kind of mirror— one that helps us see ourselves through their perspective."
Khatri, a former journalist and published poet in Nepal who now works at a factory in Incheon, addressed the audience in Korean.
"I don't speak Korean fluently, so thank you for understanding," he said, his words halting but clear. "Thank you so much for loving this film. I’ll keep doing my best to give that love back."
With Lee Ki-joo translating his words into Korean, he continued in Nepali: "When life is hard and you’re stressed, you need an outlet for things you can’t tell anyone. For me, poetry lights the way— it tells me where to go."
The ceremony closed with remarks from Jeonju Mayor Woo Beom-ki, who chairs the festival’s organizing committee. After thanking filmmakers, staff, and attendees, Woo touted Jeonju’s bid to host the 2036 Summer Olympics.
North Jeolla Province, where Jeonju is the capital, was selected over Seoul as South Korea’s official candidate for the Games earlier this year.
moonkihoon@heraldcorp.com
