Jeonju Film Festival, 491 Entries from 75 Countries in International Competition

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Isul] This year, 491 films from 75 countries were submitted to the international competition of the Jeonju International Film Festival.

On the 21st, the Jeonju International Film Festival Organizing Committee announced, "From November 24 last year to the 10th of this year, 491 works from 75 countries were submitted to the 23rd Jeonju International Film Festival international competition category," adding, "This is an increase of 93 films, or 23.36%, compared to last year's 398 submissions."

The number of countries participating in the international competition increased from 68 to 75, with 7 more countries participating than the previous year. When classified by continent, Europe, Asia, and Latin America submitted the most works in that order. By country, France accounted for the largest share with a total of 56 films. Spain submitted 37 films, China 35, the United States and Argentina submitted 33 and 31 films respectively, followed by Italy and Canada with 30 and 24 films.

The submissions consisted of 266 feature films (54.18%), 168 documentaries (34.22%), 10 animations (2.04%), 30 experimental films (6.11%), and 17 others (3.46%). Compared to the previous year, feature films increased by 71, documentaries by 10, and animations by 8, while the number of experimental films remained the same at 30.

Compared to the 22nd Jeonju International Film Festival last year, where feature films accounted for 48.99%, this year the proportion of feature films rose slightly by 5.19% to 54.18%, but the share of other genres also increased. In particular, mixed genres such as documentary fiction and essay films showed an increasing trend.

Programmer Jeon Jinsu said, "We appreciate the interest in the Jeonju International Film Festival and the submission of works in various formats. The creators' spirit of challenge stood out," adding, "Through the submission results, we confirmed that despite the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic, the passion of filmmakers worldwide for independent and art film production has not diminished."

The 23rd Jeonju International Film Festival will be held for ten days from April 28 to May 7 in the Film Street area of Jeonju City, Jeollabuk-do, with about 230 films screened in 500 sessions.