2026 Chuncheon Film Festival

Now in its 13th edition, the 2026 Chuncheon Film Festival (Chair Park Ki-bok) will be held across Chuncheon for four days from June 25 to June 28. The festival began as the ‘Chuncheon Documentary Film Festival That Started With One Person,’ commemorating the late director Lee Seong-gyu, a documentary producer and director from Chuncheon. Upholding the spirit of the late Lee Seong-gyu, who worked to advance the rights of Korean independent art films and independent filmmakers, it has since expanded its spectrum to encompass independent art cinema as a whole, engaging the public through diverse screening programs and outdoor events, and has established itself as a representative film festival of Chuncheon.

The Chuncheon Film Festival is accepting official selections until March 30. The competitive section ‘Korean Short Competition’ is open to short films of 60 minutes or less produced between 2024 and 2026, of which around 15 will be selected for screening during the festival. From among the screenings, the jury will present one Grand Jury Prize (prize money 5 million won), and two Jury Prizes (prize money 2 million won). Notably, this year introduces an Acting Award (prize money 1 million won), to be given to one performer who delivers a memorable performance in a work.

In the non-competitive sections, calls are open for ‘Cinematic Chuncheon’ and for general screenings. ‘Cinematic Chuncheon’ targets works produced in Chuncheon and the Gangwon region, inviting films that capture the identity and sensibility of the region. General screenings are open to Korean independent art films across a variety of genres, including fiction, animation, and documentary. Additionally, as curated screening programs, the festival plans to present sections such as ‘Close-Up’ and ‘Actor’s Chair’, which invite notable filmmakers for screenings and special talks, and ‘Replay,’ which brings acclaimed art films from home and abroad back to the cinema.

Now in its third year following last year, the festival will again partner with the Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province Metropolitan Dementia Center (headed by Ju Jin-hyeong) to hold the ‘Da·Haeng·Hee·Ya Dementia-Themed Film Contest’ (stories of diverse happiness and hope despite dementia). The contest is designed to discover works on the theme of dementia and to improve public awareness. The awards will include one top prize, the Eunchorong Award (prize money 3 million won), and two excellence prizes, the Mulmangcho Award (prize money 1.5 million won each).

The finalists of the ‘Korean Short Competition’ and the winners of the ‘Da·Haeng·Hee·Ya Dementia-Themed Film Contest’ will be announced on April 30. The official screening program is scheduled to be unveiled in May, and the 2026 Chuncheon Film Festival will take place across Chuncheon for four days from June 25 to 28. Information on submissions and other festival updates can be found on the official website.