Held at Jaemi Theater, Iksan Public Media Center
The 17th Iksan Disability Human Rights Film Festival will be held at the Jaemi Theater of the Iksan Public Media Center in Iksan, North Jeolla Province, from May 21 to 23, 2025.
According to the city on May 14, this year’s festival is themed “Together Anyway: Value,” aiming to shed light on the value of living together by breaking down invisible boundaries and prejudices in society.
The festival will feature nine films on the themes of disability and human rights, including “Perfect Shoot,” “To Her,” “Living Together,” and “Dialogue with Memory.” All screenings are free of charge. Some films will be followed by a “Director’s Talk” session, providing an opportunity for interaction between the audience and the filmmakers.
On the first day, May 21, the lineup includes “Perfect Shoot,” which tells the story of Korea’s first handball team for people with developmental disabilities; “Shadow Archetype,” which depicts a journey of healing by confronting the past; and “My X Sister,” which shares the narrative of sisters in a family with disabilities.
On May 22, the festival will screen “To Her,” which addresses issues of raising and educating children with developmental disabilities; “By Your Side Now,” a documentary about a theater production created by a young adult with developmental disabilities and a non-disabled artist; and “Here,” which deals with the closure process of a residential facility for people with disabilities.
On May 23, the program includes the documentary “Exchanged ( ): Effort,” which focuses on communication between a deaf mother and her hearing daughter, and “Living Together,” which tells the story of two people experiencing growing pains in their mid-thirties.
Notably, the final film, the Japanese documentary “Dialogue with Memory,” responds after ten years to the “Tokyo Borderline Journey” project, crossing the boundaries between disability and non-disability, mainstream and non-mainstream. After the screening, director Sasaki Makoto will engage in a direct conversation with the audience about the film.
The Iksan Disability Human Rights Film Festival provides an environment where both people with and without disabilities can enjoy the event together.
All films are available with Korean subtitles and either the “Gachibom” version, which includes descriptive audio and subtitles, or Korean subtitles only, ensuring accessibility for everyone. The Jaemi Theater is fully equipped with wheelchair-accessible spaces and ramps, creating a barrier-free environment.
All screenings are available on a first-come, first-served basis without separate reservations or applications. Detailed information about the films, schedule, and the festival can be found on the Iksan Public Media Center website or by phone inquiry.
A city official stated, “We hope this festival will become a venue for communication where everyone, regardless of disability, can empathize and enjoy together,” adding, “We expect the stories told by these diverse films will serve as an opportunity to raise awareness of human rights.”
The 17th Iksan Disability Human Rights Film Festival is hosted by the Iksan Public Media Center, Kkum Maru Cooperative, the Mano en Mano club of the Department of Secondary Special Education at Wonkwang University, the Iksan Comprehensive Welfare Center for the Disabled, and the Jeonbuk Branch of the Korea Hard of Hearing Education Association, with support from the Japan Foundation Seoul Cultural Center.
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