|
|
👋 Greetings from Jeonju
Hello everyone! This is L, taking the lead of this year’s J Letter.
For this edition, we’ve prepared the latest news of JEONJU IFF, a special message from the Festival Co-Directors: MIN Sungwook and JUNG Junho, and a curated list of cafés, [Link Up with JEONJU] - Cafés edition.
📽️ The 27th JEONJU IFF Slogan: Beyond the Frame
✔️ 421 Films Ready for International Competition
🌏 From JEONJU to the World
💌 Special Message from the Festival Co-Directors
🔗 Link Up with JEONJU: 10 Must-Visit Cafés
Let us begin!
|
|
|
|
📽️ The 27th JEONJU IFF Slogan: Beyond the Frame
|
|
|
|
In 2026, the 27th JEONJU International Film Festival will take place under the slogan “Beyond the Frame.” It continues to amplify the core identity of JEONJU IFF, crossing lines, defying boundaries, and embracing new challenges. Staying true to this spirit, JEONJU IFF will once again move beyond conventional film formats and screening practices, pursuing cross-genre integration through its programs, venues, and festival events, all centered on cinema.
|
|
|
|
✔️ 421 Films Ready for International Competition
|
|
|
|
The 27th JEONJU IFF received a total of 421 submissions for its International Competition section during the submission period from November 26, 2025, to January 19, 2026.
In terms of genre distribution, submissions showed a 2% rise in certain genres, resulting in 59.6% fiction films and 34.2% documentaries. By country, the top five submitters were the United States with 44 films (10.5%), followed by China with 36 (8.6%), Japan with 28 (6.7%), Canada with 22 (5.2%), and Germany with 19 (4.5%). Submissions from North America showed a marked increase this year.
The 27th JEONJU IFF will feature ten compelling and distinctive films in the International Competition section, curated by a domestic and international jury through a rigorous preliminary screening.
We look forward to discovering new films that expand cinematic boundaries and engage audiences around the world. Stay tuned for more updates!
For more details, please refer to the link.
|
|
|
|
🌏 From JEONJU, to the World
|
|
|
|
We are proud to share the news of the 26th JEONJU IFF award winner’s latest news of their ongoing success from all over the world. 3670 and Mad Bills to Pay (or Destiny, dile que no soy malo) both had their Asian Premiere at JEONJU IFF, meeting Asian audiences for the first time in Korea.
|
|
|
|
3670
4 award winner of the 26th JEONJU IFF, 3670, directed by PARK Joonho, has won the New Voices New Visions Award from the 37th Palm Springs International Film Festival in 2026.
|
Mad Bills to Pay
(or Destiny, dile que no soy malo)
The 26th JEONJU IFF's International Competition Grand Prize winner, Mad Bills to Pay (or Destiny, dile que no soy malo) has scored two awards: Best Director(Joel Alfonso VARGAS) and Best Actress(Nathaly NAVARRO, Destiny CHECO and Yohanna FLORENTINO) from the 7th Hainan Island International Film Festival.
|
|
|
|
Cheers to the winners, and our heartfelt recognition goes to the award recipients for their remarkable achievements. JEONJU IFF will continue to serve as a platform that showcases bold new cinematic voices from around the world.
|
|
|
|
💌 Special Message from the Festival Co-Directors
|
|
|
“After the film ends, take a slow walk through the streets of Jeonju, carrying the lingering emotions with you.”
This warm invitation comes from MIN Sungwook and JUNG Junho, Co-Festival Directors of JEONJU IFF. As they begin a new chapter following the renewal of their terms, they have prepared a special message for you.
|
|
|
|
MIN Sungwook
A film festival is where two essential elements come together. For filmmakers, it is a space to connect and share inspiration; for audiences, it is a place to discover unfamiliar yet brilliant new films.
In particular, the chance to engage directly with directors and actors, through post-screening Q&A sessions, is one of the most meaningful experiences unique to film festivals.
Behind the scenes, we are working quietly and passionately to ensure that you can enjoy every moment with ease and comfort.
All you need to do is come to Jeonju with an open heart, and fully enjoy the film festival we have prepared for you.
|
JUNG Junho
Jeonju is truly a charming city. After watching a film, you can step right outside the theater and find yourself wandering through warm, lively alleys filled with great food and local character.
I hope our audience takes the time not only to watch films, but also to slow down and truly experience the city. As you walk through Jeonju with the lingering emotions of a film still with you, you’ll encounter a special moment where the excitement of the festival meets the city’s quiet, timeless beauty.
Here in Jeonju, a hub of K-culture, we invite you to fully enjoy the harmony of cinema, city, and culture. We are preparing with great care and look forward to welcoming you at this year’s festival.
We would be deeply grateful if you join us in Jeonju to celebrate this festival together.
See you in Jeonju this spring.
|
|
|
|
🔗 Link Up with JEONJU: 10 Must-Visit Cafés
|
|
|
|
Beyond its role as a center for alternative and independent cinema, JEONJU IFF stands out for the unique experience it offers. It invites audiences to enjoy films in Jeonju, a city where tradition meets the present, while the festival itself comes to life across the city, created in harmony with its rhythms.
This close connection between cinema and the city naturally leads to Jeonju’s rich cultural identity. Known as a city of taste and arts, Jeonju’s culinary reputation stems from its harmonious natural environment, shaped by a favorable climate, abundant water, and fertile open plains. As the capital of Korean food culture, it’s fair to say that everything tastes better in Jeonju, even a simple cup of coffee.
To help you make the most of your visit, we’ve gathered a special list of places that capture the charm of the city. In this edition of J Letter, we focus on a selection of cafés worth exploring. New monthly lists will be introduced, so stay tuned for more curated recommendations.
|
|
|
|
LINK UP with JEONJU - Café LIST
Romin Coffee(로민 커피)
Peace or Peace(평화와 평화)
DID(디드커피로스터스)
Gil-Coffee (길위의커피)
sof(소프)
Cafe Nick(카페닉)
vms coffee(브이엠에스 커피)
Gyodong Daon(교동다원)
GU Tea(지유명차)
LP Cafe Sori(LP 카페 소리)
|
|
|
|
Click here to check the google link
👇
|
|
|
|
👋 Closing the J Letter January Edition
|
|
|
|
Did you enjoy the news we have prepared for you? J Letter will be back with more exciting news of JEONJU IFF in February. Bye for now, and see you again soon! 👋
|
|
|
26 January 2026
Written by: Publicity Team | Edited and Published by: Publicity Team
|
|
|
|
"Beyond the Frame"
The 27th JEONJU International Film Festival
|
|
|
|
