London Korean Film Festival 2024: A Cinematic Celebration of Korean Voices

The Korean Cultural Centre UK (KCCUK) is set to bring the 19th edition of the London Korean Film Festival (LKFF) to life from 1 to 13 November 2024. Taking place at renowned venues including BFI Southbank, Ciné Lumière, and the Institute of Contemporary Arts (ICA), this year’s festival promises an exciting lineup that celebrates the best of Korean cinema, both past and present.

With two key strands, Cinema Now and Women’s Voices, along with a special collaboration with the BFI Echoes in Time: Korean Films of the Golden Age and New Cinema, the festival will showcase the breadth of Korean filmmaking. Highlights include the Opening Gala Film, Park Beom-su’s Victory, and the Closing Gala, E.oni’s Love in the Big City, along with a special screening of Choi Dong-hoon’s Alienoid: Return to the Future.

Opening Gala: Victory

Kicking off the festival on 6 November at BFI Southbank, Park Beom-su’s Victory brings a rebellious cheerleading squad to life in a small town in 1999. A heartwarming story of solidarity and empowerment, the film will premiere with the director in attendance.

Closing Gala: Love in the Big City

On 13 November, the festival will close with E.oni’s Love in the Big City, a romantic drama based on the Booker Prize-longlisted novel by Park Sang-young. The film follows two misunderstood souls, Jae-hee and Heung-soo, as they navigate love and self-discovery in the bustling city of Seoul.

Cinema Now: A Showcase of Modern Korean Cinema

Curated by Anton Bitel, the Cinema Now strand offers a fresh take on Korean cinema’s cutting edge. Featured films include the twisted thriller Following by Kim Se-hwi, and the dark, introspective drama Mother’s Kingdom by Lee Sang-hak. These films, alongside other innovative titles like Mimang and The Noisy Mansion, reflect the range of genres and themes shaping contemporary Korean filmmaking.

Women’s Voices: Celebrating Female Filmmakers

Marking 15 years of outstanding work by female directors, the Women’s Voices strand, curated by Eunji Lee, highlights films like Sisters on the Road by Boo Ji-young and A Girl at My Door by Jung July. These films, alongside a selection of shorts and in-depth discussions with directors, offer an insightful exploration into the powerful narratives brought to life by women in Korean cinema.

Special Screening: Alienoid: Return to the Future

Returning to LKFF after opening the festival in 2022, Choi Dong-hoon’s Alienoid: Return to the Future promises another thrilling sci-fi adventure with epic battles, time travel, and an alien invasion.

Echoes in Time: Korean Cinema’s Golden Age

In partnership with the BFI and the Korean Film Archive (KOFA), the festival will present a series of screenings celebrating the Golden Age of Korean cinema. From AIMLESS BULLET to PEPPERMINT CANDY, the Echoes in Time season will offer rare glimpses into Korea’s cinematic history, with restored classics and unique 35mm prints.

With over a dozen special events, Q&A sessions with directors, and screenings of critically acclaimed films, the London Korean Film Festival 2024 promises to be a celebration of Korea’s rich cinematic heritage and vibrant contemporary storytelling.

The festival runs from 1 to 13 November—a must-see for film enthusiasts and lovers of Korean culture alike.