- KOCIS to expand Korean Film Festival in overseas Korean Cultural Centers in March–June, featuring Parasite, Extreme Job, and Whale Hunting

- MCST to actively implement Korean Film Industry Development Plan, including upscaling the number of programs and students at Korean Academy of Film Arts

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST; Minister Park Yang-woo) and the Korean Culture and Information Service (KOCIS; Director Kim Tae-hoon) decided to expand the Korean Film Festival in overseas Korean Cultural Centers will be held between March and June. The decision was spurred by Parasite’s 4 wins at the 92nd Academy Awards (Oscars).

Building on the elevated standing of and interest in Korean films,

KOCIS to commit additional budget for Korean film events at overseas Korean Cultural Centers and Culture and Information Officers in 25 countries

Parasite‘s success at the Oscars elevated the interest in and standing of Korean films outside the country. In Vietnam, Parasite was rereleased in around 100 theaters on February 17. In Brazil, where American films dominate the market, Parasite was released in more than 200 theaters. To stoke this newfound enthusiasm for Korean movies and translate it into a heightened interest in Korean culture in general, KOCIS plans to commit additional budget to overseas Korean Cultural Centers and Culture and Information Officers in 25 countries and organize a wide range of special events featuring Korean films in the first half of 2020.

Diverse cultural events scheduled at overseas centers, including special screenings and Korean culture activities

In the festival, overseas Korean Cultural Centers will hold various tie-in cultural events, including special screenings and Korean cultural activities. The list includes Korean Film Nights and invitational programs with local experts (United States); Ho-Ho Special Screening (Brazil); cultural activity programs inspired by Korean films (jjapaguri cooking event, etc.; Philippines and Hong Kong), and special screenings at local film festivals (Asian Film Festival and the Rome Fantafestival in Italy). The events are expected to attract widespread attention and introduce Korean cinema‘s excellence to international audiences

In 2019, the Korean Film Special program was held during the New York Asian Film Festival. Korean Cinema Week 2019 in Japan, the 7th Brussel Korean Culture Festival in Belgium, and the 5th Buenos Aires Korean Film Festival in Argentina also welcomed local audiences.

Further information about this year’s festival, including the full schedule, is available at the KOCIS website (www.kocis.go.kr) and each overseas Korean Cultural Center’s website.

In addition, on October 14, 2019, the MCST announced the Korean Film Industry Development Plan aimed at “fostering a fair cultural industry ecosystem and spreading K-wave across the world.” In the plan, the ministry significantly increased the relevant budget and actively pursued policies in three key strategic areas: creation, industry, and enjoyment.

* Film Development Fund project budget: KRW 66.0 billion in 2019 → KRW 89.9 billion in 2020

The MCST will upscale the number of programs and students at the Korean Academy of Film Arts (KRW 850 million in 2019 → KRW 5,300 million in 2020), which produced many renowned filmmakers, including director Bong Joon-ho. The ministry also plans to increase support for independent and art films (KRW 9.5 billion in 2019 → KRW 14 billion in 2020) and expand investments in films created by small-/medium-sized film studios through the newly founded Hidden Champion Studios Fund (main investor) (KRW 8 billion in 2019 → KRW 24 billion in 2020). Moreover, the ministry will extend the tax credit expiration date for film and video content production expenses to three years (December 2019 → December 2022) to foster a favorable environment for a unique and diverse Korean cinema.

Furthermore, the ministry will develop concrete plans to establish a joint film organization and exchange programs between ASEAN and Korea (announced during the ASEAN–Korea Special Summit in November 2019) while promoting the international release of and exchange programs for Korean films. The ministry will also continue with previous activities for the development of future audiences (film education and theater-going support for teenagers) and the promotion of film enjoyment (improved access for people with disabilities) to provide moviegoers inside and outside Korea with easier and more frequent access to Korean films.

* Young Korean Cinema events at international film festivals (including Berlin Film Festival between February 20 and March 1, 2020)

Minister Park Yang-woo commented, “Given the widespread interest in Korean films and cultural content across the world, it is crucial to ensure that the creativity and artistic talents in the private sector are translated into continuous creative activities.” He added, “the MCST will spur the efforts to consolidate Korea’s standing as a cultural powerhouse by increasing support for the overall Korean film and culture industries and promoting Korea’s cultural content through overseas centers across the world.”

Attachment 1. Korean Film Festival Plan in Overseas Korean Cultural Centers (2020)

Attachment 2. Overview of 2019 Korean Film Festival in Overseas Korean Cultural Centers

Attachment 3. Photographs from 2019 Korean Film Festival in Overseas Korean Cultural Centers