JIFF to open next month with 102 Korean films

The 25th Jeonju International Film Festival (JIFF) is set to kick off on May 1 and will run for 10 days.

The organizing committee revealed the 232 films from 43 regions that will be screened during the festival, 102 of which are Korean films, in a press conference at CGV Yongsan in central Seoul on Wednesday.

The opening film is “All the Long Nights,” a Japanese film by director Sho Miyake. Based on the novel of the same name by Maiko Seo, the film follows Fujisawa, who is constantly irritated due to premenstrual syndrome, and Yamazoe, who suffers from a panic disorder.

As colleagues, the pair develop a friendship that is “heartwarming,” programmer Moon Seok explained.

The closing film will be “Matt and Mara,” a Canadian independent film by Kazik Radwanski. The romance genre film explores the timing and “what if’s” of a relationship. The two titular characters reunite after a while and attempt to test out the relationship’s potential.

“The film follows a common theme and unravels the story in a unique way,” programmer Moon Sung said, adding that the dialogue and acting are worth noting.

Pixar’s “Inside Out 2” will make its worldwide premiere at the upcoming JIFF, accompanied by a Disney-themed, pop-up zone as part of the festival’s partnership with Walt Disney Company Korea.

The “Korean Cinema: 10th Anniversary of Sewol Ferry Disaster” is a screening section commemorating the 2014 tragedy that resulted in over 300 deaths. Many were students from Danwon High School.

Six films will be screened, including a documentary titled “Sewol: Years in the Wind” co-directed by Moon Jong-taek and Kim Hwan-tae.

The “Jeonju Cinetour x Meet” section, which debuted at JIFF last year, will make its return in collaboration with Varo Entertainment.

Jeonju Cinetour encourages participation from the audience through public talks hosted by actors signed under Varo, including Jin Goo, Gong Seung-yeon, Lee Yoo-mi and Lee Soo-kyung.

BY SHIN MIN-HEE [shin.minhee@joongang.co.kr]