The Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines (KCC) has announced its most ambitious Korean Film Festival to date, launching the 2025 edition titled "Scenes on Screen" as a comprehensive celebration of Korean cinema. This year's festival represents a significant expansion from previous years, featuring a multi-layered approach that encompasses film screenings, educational exhibits, cross-cultural discussions, and competitive events, all designed to bridge cultures and showcase the creative forces behind Korea's cinematic achievements.
The festival's centerpiece is an extensive exhibition called "Production Design: Scene Architects Build On-Screen Worlds," which will run from August 27 to November 21 at the KCC with free admission. Co-hosted by the Korean Film Archive and the KCC, this special exhibit provides an in-depth exploration of production design, highlighting the visual architects responsible for some of Korea's most iconic films. Visitors will have the opportunity to examine the creative processes and stunning visual concepts developed by leading production designers, including Ryu Seong-hee, known for her work on "Decision to Leave" and "The Handmaiden," Cho Hwa-sung, who worked on "Hansan: Rising Dragon," and Han Ah rum, who contributed to "Kill Boksoon" and "Kingmaker."
A special talkback session scheduled for August 27 at Cine Adarna, UPFI Film Center at the University of the Philippines Diliman will facilitate cross-cultural dialogue between Philippine and Korean film industry experts. The discussion will explore the creative processes behind film production design, storytelling techniques, and the evolving film industries of both Korea and the Philippines. Korean participants will include acclaimed production designer Han Ah rum from "Kill Boksoon" and "Kingmaker," producer RuBi who serves as team manager of ARTCOMPANY HAN, and Park Hee Seong, a senior researcher from the Korean Film Council (KOFIC). Representatives from the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) and Filipino filmmakers will also participate in the panel discussion.
The festival's screening component will take place from August 29-31 at multiple SM Cinema locations, including SM Mall of Asia, SM City Iloilo, and SM Lanang Premier. This year's carefully curated film lineup features three compelling Korean productions that complement the production design exhibit: "I, The Executioner" (2024), "Concrete Utopia" (2023), and "Kingmaker" (2022). All screenings will be offered free of charge to audiences across these key cities nationwide, making Korean cinema accessible to a broader public.
The talkback session will also serve as the venue for screening and awarding the winning entries from the "Reel Connections: Student Short Film Competition." Festival organizers will recognize the emerging talents behind the winning short film "Seoul Sight," with the creators set to attend the prestigious 2025 Busan International Film Festival as part of their prize. Additionally, Korea will serve as the guest country at the Tingin Southeast Asian Film Festival, scheduled for September 26-27 at Gateway Cineplex 18, with Korea's participation featuring as the opening film for this event hosted by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) under the theme "Women's Ways of Seeing."
The 2025 Korean Film Festival represents a collaborative effort among multiple organizations, including the Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines, Korean Film Council, Film Development Council of the Philippines, National Commission for Culture and the Arts, University of the Philippines Film Institute, SM Cinema, and Gateway Cineplex 18. Festival organizers emphasize that all events are free and open to the public, welcoming casual viewers, aspiring filmmakers, and dedicated cinephiles alike. Interested participants can access updates and detailed event information through KCCPhil's official Facebook and Instagram channels or by visiting the center's website at phil.korean-culture.org.
