JEONJU Intl. Film Festival

MAGAZINE

The 27th JEONJU IFF: Centering Human Passion at the Heart of Cinema

2026-02-23 17:00:00

👋Greetings from Jeonju

Hello everyone! This is L, back again with exciting news of the JEONJU IFF!

In Korea, we recently celebrated Seollal (설날), one of the country’s most important national holidays, marking the first day of the lunar calendar. It’s a time when families gather to enjoy tteokguk, a traditional rice cake soup symbolizing a fresh start for the year, and to perform sebae, a deep bow to elders in exchange for warm words of wisdom and good fortune.

Sending you plenty of bok(luck) from Korea, we’re delighted to kick off the February edition of J Letter!

Just like the bowl of tteokguk that welcomes a new year, this February’s J Letter is filled with exciting news and updates from JEONJU. Let’s dive right in.

🌟The 27th JEONJU IFF Official Poster Unveiled

🌏JEONJU in London
🍿JEONJU World Premieres Meet Korean Audiences
🔗Link Up with JEONJU: 10 Local Gukbap Spots

🌟The 27th JEONJU IFF Official Poster Unveiled

The official poster of this year’s JEONJU has been unveiled! While the future of art is often questioned with the rise of AI, JEONJU turns to human warmth. The visual marks a bold evolution of the iconic “J” campaign, celebrating three main elements, “Film,” “Art,” and “Analog.” With the hand-driven designs, the artwork centers human passion at the cinema's heart, translating JEONJU’s unique identity into art. Click here to read the full article.

🌏JEONJU in London

We’re delighted to share that three films supported by the JEONJU Cinema Project (JCP) were screened at the Institute of Contemporary Arts (ICA) in London, on 11th February, 2026. This special programme showcased three films produced through JCP: Memories of a Morning (José Luis GUERÍN), Worldly Desires (Apichatpong WEERASETHAKUL) and Lost in the Mountains (HONG Sangsoo).

During the post-screening conversation, JEONJU IFF programmer Sung MOON, offered audiences a closer look at JCP’s distinctive approach to film production and distribution. MOON discussed the JEONJU IFF’s evolution into a “producer festival,” highlighting its funding initiatives, engagement with diverse film forms, and long-term relationships with filmmakers.

A following Q&A on project selection and programming further deepened the audience’s understanding of the JEONJU IFF’s production-driven approach, offering a meaningful introduction to the festival’s identity for an international audience.

🍿JEONJU World Premieres Meet Korean Audiences

Proud World Premiere films of the 26th JEONJU IFF, Winter Light (CHO Hyun-suh) and Rectangle, Triangle (LEE Heejun) had met the audience in Korea nation-wide, with the recent theatrical release of their films.

Winter Light (CHO Hyun-suh)

The 26th JEONJU IFF World Premiere

- Grand Prize of Korean Competition
- Korean Boxoffice Release Date: 2026.02.04.

Overview: Da-bin, who dreams of a normal high school life, helps his younger sister Eun-seo, who is deaf in one ear, get to and from school every day. When he learns that his family may have to move far away for Eun-seo, he applies for an exchange program, hoping to take one last trip with his girlfriend. But when he starts working at a motel to cover the costs, he finds himself drifting further away from his plan.

Click here to watch the Official Trailer

“Winter Light does not offer any tender words of comfort to its protagonist Dabin, but neither does it forsake him. This film shows how a little bit of light can find its way into the life of someone who has been forced to bear a difficult reality.” (MOON Seok, programmer of JEONJU)

Rectangle, Triangle (LEE Heejun)

The 26th JEONJU IFF World Premiere

- Official Selection of Korean Cinema

- Korean Boxoffice Release Date: 2026.01.21.

Overview: It seems to be a harmonious and happy family gathering. Conversations that begin with lighthearted jokes gradually uncover long-standing conflicts. Despite everyone's efforts to resolve and improve their relationships, the discussions only grow increasingly complicated.

Click here to watch the Official Trailer

“This film which shows the nature of families in a sharp and amusing way seems to have been shot within the limited space of apartment unit. Fitting all the actors into the space must have been difficult, so having Lee Heejun draw out such quality performances from the actors is truly an impressive skill.” (MOON Seok, programmer of JEONJU)

🔗Link Up with JEONJU: 10 Local Gukbap Spots

In this edition of [Link Up with JEONJU], we introduce gukbap, a beloved comfort food that has long been a staple in Korean everyday life.

Gukbap, literally meaning “soup and rice” in Korean, is a comforting dish made by adding cooked rice directly into a steaming hot soup, served in a traditional earthenware bowl known as a ttukbaegi. While soup and rice are usually enjoyed separately in everyday Korean meals, gukbap brings them together in one hearty bowl, with the rice mixed directly into the soup. (There’s an ongoing, and surprisingly passionate, debate over whether rice should be mixed into the soup or eaten separately. However, we respect all choices.)

Jo Jeom Rye Nammun Pi-sundae (조점례남문피순대)

For many visitors to the JEONJU International Film Festival, discovering the city’s local flavors becomes part of the cinematic journey. A must-try is kongnamul gukbap (콩나물 국밥), Jeonju’s signature dish, where crisp bean sprouts are simmered in a clean, soothing broth—light yet deeply comforting after a long day of screenings. Just as iconic is sundae gukbap (순대국밥), a heartier bowl made with rich pork broth and pi-sundae (피순대), Jeonju-style blood sausage known for its savory depth and generous filling. These two bowls, long cherished by locals, offer festival guests a taste of Jeonju’s everyday life—warm, unpretentious, and deeply satisfying.

Jeonju Waengi Kongnamul Gukbap
(전주왱이콩나물국밥전문점)

Jokbo Seolleongtang (족보 설렁탕)

Link Up with JEONJU - 10 Local Gukbap Spots

Kongnamul gukbap
Sambaekjip (Main Branch) (삼백집 본점)

Hyundaiok (현대옥)

Jeonju Waengi Kongnamul Gukbap (전주왱이콩나물국밥전문점)

Hyeyeonok (Main Branch) (혜연옥 본점)

Pi-sundae gukbap
Jo Jeom Rye Nammun Pi-sundae (조점례남문피순대)
Yetnal Pisundae (옛날피순대)
Jeong Su-jin Pungnyeon Sundae (정수진 풍년순대)

Others
Yeonji Bon-gwan (연지본관)
Jokbo Seolleongtang (족보 설렁탕)
Mokro Gukbap (목로국밥)

Jeonju Review(2025)

A Friendly Note for JEONJU Visitors - As you explore Jeonju beyond the screenings, you may find eateries that feel very much part of everyday local life. Simple, unpolished, and deeply authentic. These are places best enjoyed with a spirit of curiosity and a willingness to embrace something new. A little patience, along with mindfulness toward the vendors and fellow diners, goes a long way in making the experience warm and rewarding, much like discovering a small gem between films.