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A star-studded affair<br />
Several media entities and fans flocked to the Jeonju<br />
Dome on the afternoon of May 3 to get a glimpse<br />
of Korean stars and international filmmakers at<br />
the red carpet event. Famous names that drew<br />
particular interest were critically acclaimed actor<br />
Jung Woo Sung, Hallyu (Korean pop culture wave)<br />
actress Goo Hye Sun (who became famous after<br />
appearing in “Boys Over Flowers”), and household<br />
K-Drama actresses Nam Gyu Ri and Chae Soo-bin.<br />
Other notable actors that graced the red carpet<br />
are: Ryu Hyun Kyung, Ahn Sung Ki, Kim Sang Ho,<br />
Joo Jae-yoon, and many more.<br />
"This is a very different<br />
festival from the larger Busan<br />
International Film Festival."<br />
Social Awareness<br />
Twelve awards were announced across five categories<br />
on May 9 during the closing ceremony. The Grand Prize<br />
for the International Competition and Korean category<br />
went to Marcelo Martinessi’s “The Heiresses” and Jung<br />
Hyungsik’s “The Land of Seonghye,” respectively. The<br />
former tells of a story about discrimination against<br />
women based on personal experiences. It was noted<br />
by jurors as having “a solid structure, daring story, and<br />
challenging spirit.” The latter was cited for its excellent<br />
“mature cinematic language.”<br />
The Best International Picture went to Shevaun<br />
Mizrahi’s “Distant Constellation,” which presented<br />
captivating reflections of life and the surrealist<br />
movement set at a retirement home in Istanbul.<br />
The International Competition’s Special Jury Prize<br />
went to Malene Choi Jensen’s “The Return,” a story of<br />
two Korean adoptees from Denmark who returned<br />
to Korea in search of their biological parents.<br />
Several other winners delved in presenting social<br />
commentaries as well, with topics such as labor<br />
issues, minorities, crime, war, and inequality.<br />
Engagement & entertainment<br />
JIFF took their concept a bit further this year by adding<br />
activities that added to the storytelling experience<br />
of traditional cinema. On the streets of Gaeksa were<br />
live bands and performers busking on stage, while<br />
talks, interviews, and conferences were held inside<br />
several venues. Naver Live was also a helpful tool<br />
in sharing the thoughts of the filmmakers to a much<br />
wider audience online. These innovative activities<br />
opened up Jeonju to the world stage, and brought a<br />
deeper understanding of life through films that can<br />
prove invaluable for young people.<br />
“Overall, I could feel diverse perspectives and<br />
attempts, as well as vigorous efforts from the<br />
filmmakers in the festival program,” director Kim<br />
Daehwan from the jury said. “I hope the JIFF will<br />
continue to bring hope to directors in the future.”<br />
DIANNE PINEDA-KIM is a digital content editor for a mobile news<br />
app, a copywriter for an e-commerce company in Singapore, and<br />
a pop culture and travel writer for Seoul-based websites.<br />
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