The Korean Cultural Center Los Angeles (KCCLA) will host a special two-day screening event titled "CineNext: Stories from KAFA" in collaboration with the Korean Academy of Film Arts (KAFA). The showcase will take place on December 9 at 6:30 PM and December 10 at 7:00 PM at Ari Hall, presenting four outstanding works by next-generation filmmakers whose movies have gained international recognition at major film festivals including the Cannes Film Festival and the Annecy International Animation Film Festival.
The Korean Academy of Film Arts, founded in 1984 under the Korean Film Council, stands as Korea's premier national film school and has produced some of the country's most celebrated filmmakers. Notable graduates include Academy Award-winning director Bong Joon-ho (11th graduate), acclaimed director Hur Jin-ho (9th graduate), and blockbuster filmmaker Choi Dong-hoon (15th graduate). Through its highly selective, production-centered curriculum, KAFA has trained approximately 900 film professionals to date.
The program aims to highlight the work of emerging directors who are following in the footsteps of these industry leaders. "CineNext: Stories from KAFA" features films that have received significant international acclaim, offering Los Angeles audiences a rare opportunity to experience the diversity and creativity of Korea's next wave of cinema talent.
The opening night on December 9 will screen three short films, including two works by Heo Gayoung, a 41st graduate of KAFA. Her film "First Summer" won the 1st Prize in the La Cinéf section at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, while her other work "Where Roots Go" will also be featured. The program will additionally showcase "Hole" by Hwang Hyein, a 39th graduate of KAFA, which received the 2nd Prize in the same Cannes section in 2023. Following the screening, Director Heo will participate in a discussion with the audience about her films, creative process, and experiences at the Cannes Film Festival.
Heo's "First Summer" centers on the story of Yeongsun, a woman who finds herself torn between attending her granddaughter's wedding and the 49th-day memorial ceremony of her late boyfriend. The film has been praised by critics for its nuanced portrayal of a woman's search for meaning and happiness within the rigid structures of Korea's patriarchal family system.
The second day on December 10 will feature the 73-minute animated feature film "The Square" by Kim Bosol, a 35th graduate of KAFA. This acclaimed animation won the Jury Award in the Contrechamp section at the 2025 Annecy International Animation Film Festival and also received the Best Director Award at the Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival. Director Kim will be present to share insights into his animation process and discuss his journey across international festivals.
"The Square" tells the compelling story of Isak, a Swedish diplomat stationed in Pyongyang, and Bokju, a North Korean traffic police officer, whose unexpected romance unfolds within a complex political landscape. The film is scheduled for theatrical release in Korea next year and has been invited to major international festivals, including the Sitges International Fantastic Film Festival and the São Paulo International Film Festival.
KAFA Director Geunsik Cho expressed his hopes for the showcase, stating, "We hope this special showcase will serve as an opportunity for works by KAFA-trained filmmakers to gain wider exposure in the United States, the world's most influential film market. We also look forward to this event becoming a meaningful starting point for creative exchange between young filmmakers of both countries."
KCCLA Director Haedon Lee also shared his enthusiasm for the collaboration, adding, "We are delighted to host this meaningful screening event in collaboration with KAFA, which has produced many of the leading voices in Korean cinema today. We hope that audiences in the film capital of Los Angeles will discover the richness, diversity, and creative spirit of Korea's emerging filmmakers."
Both screenings will take place at Ari Hall on the 3rd Floor of the Korean Cultural Center Los Angeles. Admission is free, but reservations are required and can be made through the KCCLA website at www.kccla.org. This event represents a significant opportunity for American audiences to witness the future of Korean cinema and engage directly with the talented filmmakers behind these internationally acclaimed works.
