5th Jangsu Mountain Village Film Festival draws 2,000 films from 201 countries, opens Oct. 8

Opens Oct. 8 at Jangsu Hannuri Center, with diverse side events focused on equality and coexistence

Eyes from around the world are turning to Jangsu County in North Jeolla Province. The fifth 'Jangsu Mountain Village Film Festival', which drew a flood of '2,159' submissions from '201 countries', will open with fanfare from Oct. 8 through 11 around 'Jangsu Hannuri Center'. More than a local event, the festival has emerged as a global arena for filmmakers, pairing an impressive scale with a substantive message.

From periphery to center, the value of equality that 'Daedong Thought' brings to the screen

Only 'about 20 films' will make it through fierce competition to the final screening lineup. These carefully selected works examine the cultural, human rights and environmental values of 'equality', 'coexistence' and 'village communities' with a perspective that is both incisive and warm.

The festival traces its roots to 'Daedong Thought', the philosophy of the revolutionary Joseon-era intellectual 'Jeong Yeo-rip'. By reinterpreting his vision of a world without discrimination through contemporary visual aesthetics, the festival raises profound questions for audiences beyond the local community and around the world.

The festival also offers a multidimensional experience that goes beyond simply watching films. In-depth side events, including a 'Youth Filmmaking Camp' to discover future cineastes and a 'Multicultural Community Forum' exploring cultural diversity, will further broaden the festival's reach.

Jangsu County Executive 'Choi Hoon-sik' described the event as "a genuine forum for cultural exchange where people share diverse lives and community values across borders" and stressed that the county would "develop it into a unique flagship regional film festival where local residents and global filmmakers come together."