October 15–25, 2026: Exploring the Present and Future of Korean Independent Cinema
Featuring 10 Feature Films and 5 Shorts in Collaboration with Leading Korean Film Festivals
12 Directors and Film Professionals to Visit New York for Audience Q&As
NEW YORK, Oct. 14, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The Korean Cultural Center New York (KCCNY) presents the inaugural New York Korean Independent Film Festival (NYKIFF) from October 15 through 25, 2026, at the KCCNY Theater. The festival seeks to expand international screening opportunities for outstanding Korean independent films and foster meaningful exchange between Korean filmmakers and New York’s film community.
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Korea’s independent film community produces outstanding works with the potential to resonate internationally, yet limited exhibition and distribution opportunities have kept many from reaching audiences abroad. The inaugural festival responds to this gap by providing a platformfor these films in New York, bringing greater visibility to Korean independent cinemaand creating opportunities for its filmmakers to gain recognition on the international stage.
Featuring 10 feature films and 5 shorts, the festival brings together a wide range of cinematic voices through a program developed in collaboration with leading Korean film festivals. 12 directors and other film professionals will visit New York to meet audiences through post-screening Q&As.
The lineup was developed in collaboration with the Seoul Independent Film Festival, Jeonju International Film Festival, Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival, Muju Film Festival, and Mise-en-scène Short Film Festival in Korea. Spanning fiction, documentary, thriller, and action, the 15-film selection introduces New York audiences to the distinctive perspectives shaping Korean independent cinema today.
Admission is free and open to the public, but pre-registration is required.
The festival opens with STARS AND SAND, directed by KAM JEONGWON, winner of the Grand Prize at the 51st Seoul Independent Film Festival. KAM JEONGWON and cinematographer CHOI CHANG HWAN will attend the opening screening and participate in a post-screening Q&A. A networking reception will follow, providing an opportunity for exchange with members of the local film community.
The festival closes with THE WORLD OF LOVE, directed by YOON GA-EUN, who received the Best Director award in the film category at the 62nd Baeksang Arts Awards.
Director LEE WEONYOUNG will visit New York to present THE GLIMMERING, which received the Grand Prize at the Muju Film Festival, while director KIM MYUNWOO will join audiences for KARMA, an award-winning selection from the Jeonju International Film Festival. Both filmmakers will participate in post-screening Q&As.
Additional feature selections include THE ONLY CHILD IN THE BUTCHERY, SAVON, THE FIN, THE LOVE OF TRUMAN, REI’S WINTER BREAK,and THE GORALS, bringing a range of distinctive stories and cinematic approaches to New York audiences.
Mise-en-scène Shorts: Award-Winning Films and Visiting Filmmakers
Co-presented with Korea Creative Content Agency New York (KOCCANY) and Netflix Korea, the special Mise-en-scène Short Film Festival section showcases five award-winning films from the festival’s 22nd edition: MY AUNT, WRONG AIM, MIXEDUP SHAMAN, NOISE CANCELLATION, and AFTER SUBMERSION.
Directors WI EUNG-KYOUNG, SON GWANG-MIN, KIM KEUNHO, CHOI JIHYE, and PARK JEONG-SU will attend to meet audiences, joined by JANG YOUNG-YEOP, ceo of Cine21, a leading Korean film magazine.
STARS AND SAND | KAM JEONGWON | Drama | 2025
KARMA | KIM MYUNWOO | Documentary | 2026
THE FIN | PARK SYEYOUNG | Sci-Fi, Thriller | 2026
THE GLIMMERING | LEE WEONYOUNG | Drama | 2025
THE LOVE OF TRUMAN | KIM DUKJOONG | Sci-Fi, Melodrama, Romance | 2025
REI’S WINTER BREAK | PARK SUK-YOUNG | Drama | 2025
THE GORALS | YOO JAEWOOK | Drama | 2026
THE ONLY CHILD IN THE BUTCHERY | YOO HYOUNG-JOON | Sci-Fi, Thriller, Crime | 2026
SAVON | LEE JUN SUP | Thriller, Crime | 2026
THE WORLD OF LOVE | YOON GA-EUN | Drama | 2025
MY AUNT | WI EUN-KYOUNG & SON GWANG-MIN | Drama | 2026
WRONG AIM | KANG SEONGJOON | Melodrama | 2026
MIXEDUP SHAMAN | KIM KEUNHO | Comedy | 2026
NOISE CANCELLATION | CHOI JIHYE | Horror | 2025
AFTER SUBMERSION | PARK JEONG-SU | Action, Thriller | 2026
About the Korean Cultural Center New York (KCCNY)
The Korean Cultural Center New York (KCCNY), a branch of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of the Republic of Korea, was established in December 1979 to promote Korean culture and foster cultural exchange in New York. KCCNY presents a wide range of cultural and artistic programs, including exhibitions, performing arts, film, educational workshops, and more. At its home at 122 E 32nd Street in Manhattan, KCCNY serves as a cultural hub where audiences can discover and experience the richness of Korean culture.
For event details and RSVP, visit www.koreanculture.org and follow @kccny on Instagram.
