Jeonju International Film Festival

Jeonju International Film Festival

Twelve films from all over the world were selected for the international competition section of the the 9th Jeonju International Film Festival (JIFF) slated from May 1st through 9th. The purpose of the Jeonju International Film Festival is to discover new, promising directors.

The panel of judges will be comprised of five reputed filmmakers from Korea and abroad, including Korean director Bong Joon-ho (The Host), actress Eom Ji-won (A Tale of Cinema), Iranian director Abolfazi Jalili, author and critic Chris Fujiwara, and Turkish culture writer Defne Gürsoy.

This year's program boasts a record total of 169 films with opening night going to Manda Kunitoshi's The Kiss in its International Premiere. And the curtain-closer will be the Korean omnibus film If You Were Me 4, produced by the National Human Rights Commission.

International Competition:

Captain Ahab (France), by Philippe Ramos

The Stolen Man (France), by Matias Pineiro

Tricks (Poland), by Andrzey Jakimowski (2007 Polish Film Festival, 'Golden Lion')

Continental, a Film Without Guns (Canada), by Stephane Lafleur (2007 Toronto International Film Festival, 'Canadian Best New Film Director')

Ballast (USA), by Lance Hammer (2008 Sundance Film Festival, 'Best Director Award')

Chop Shop (USA), by Ramin Bahrani

Cochochi (Mexico), by Guzman and Cardenas (2007 Toronto Film Festival, 'Discovery Award')

Sky, Earth, and Rain (Chile), by Jose Luis Torres Leiva (2008 Film Festival Rotterdam, 'FIPRESCI')

My Last Secret (China, Documentary), by Li Xiaofeng, Jia Kai

Years When I was Child Outside (Philippines), by John Torres

Strizh (Kazakhstan), by Abay Kulbayev (2007 International Film Festival Eurasia, 'Grand Prix')

Buddha Collapsed Out of Shame (Iran), by Hana Makhmalbaf

JIFF´s homepage: http://eng.jiff.or.kr
(sources: KBS World; korea.net)