This year’s Korean Film Festival (KFF) took audiences on an extraordinary cinematic journey with Korea’s filmmaking excellence, rich and captivating narratives, and breathtaking locations and vistas.
Ka-ja! (Let’s go!) Korea through Films: Korean Film Festival 2023 invited moviegoers to experience the heart and soul of Korea through its carefully curated selection featuring seven award-winning films.
The festival ran from September 23 to 26 at five SM Cinema branches in Metro Manila, Cebu, and Davao: SM Mall of Asia, SM Megamall, SM North Edsa, SM Seaside Cebu and SM Lanang Premier. Admission was free and on a first-come, first-served basis.
The Korean Film Festival 2023 was presented by the Embassy of the Republic of Korea and the Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines (KCC), in partnership with SM Cinema, the Korean Film Council, Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP), and the Korea Tourism Organization Manila Office.
Korean Ambassador Lee Sang-hwa led the opening ceremony recently at the SM Cinema Mall of Asia. He was joined by National Commission for Culture and the Arts Chairperson Victorino Manalo, SM Supermalls Senior Assistant Vice President Perkin So, and Film Development Council of the Philippines Daniel David Morales. Flying in from Korea to join the opening were renowned K-film producers, The Lamp CEO Park Eunkyung, and Film Production Director, Lee Yeonhwa – the creative geniuses behind the box-office sensation, Life is Beautiful, which was the festival’s opening film. Both Park and Lee also topbilled the festival’s Meet the Mentor series held at the De La Salle – College of Saint Benilde.
Audiences got a unique opportunity to enjoy an award-winning selection of films that have captured audiences worldwide. These included the joyful and uplifting musical Life is Beautiful; the stunning black and white drama, The Book of Fish; the compelling independent film Bori; and must-see films Director’s Intention; Everglow; Gyeongju; and Jukdo Surfing Diary. Audiences were in for a visual treat with scenic locations across Korea – Gangneung, Busan, Jeju, Gyeongju, Yangyang, Paju, and Sinan – providing the backdrop for each of the films.