The 9th annual Jeongju International Film Festival kicked off its nine-day run with an opening ceremony on May 1. Once again this year, the film festival has invited independent films from all around the world.
Actors Ahn Seong-gi and Choi Jeong-won hosted the opening ceremony, which was attended by 2,000 guests and visitors. Song Ha-jin, the chairman of the organizing committee, declared the opening of this year's film festival and Min Byeong-rok, the chief of the organization, delivered a congratulatory speech.
Ahead of the opening ceremony, Culture, Sports and Tourism Minister Yoo In-chon, head of the United Democratic Party Son Hak-kyu, U.S. Ambassador to Korea Alexander Vershbow, film directors Im Kwon-taek and Lee Myeong-se, actors Jeon Do-yeon and Park Hae-il and other celebrities and dignitaries greeted the local and foreign press members as well as their fans on the red carpet.
This year's film festival will screen 1,204 films, the largest number in the history of the film festival. The name of the "Indivision" category has been changed to "International Competition" to emphasize the "competitive" element, while a brand new category entitled "Work in Progess" has also been introduced to draw attention to independent films around the world.
Throughout the festival, a photo exhibition will feature some 84 photographs of internationally-renowned "Magnum" photographers.
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