“First Summer” will be shown on Dec. 9 as part of the two-day series at
KCCLA. (photo © Korean Film Council)

The Korean Cultural Center Los Angeles will host “CineNext: Stories from KAFA,” a special two-day screening series presented in collaboration with the Korean Academy of Film Arts of the Korean Film Council on Tuesday, Dec. 9, at 6:30 p.m. and Wednesday, Dec. 10, at 7 p.m. in Ari Hall. 

The showcase will present three shorts and one feature by next-generation KAFA filmmakers whose works have garnered international attention at major festivals such as the Cannes Film Festival and the Annecy International Animation Film Festival. Founded in 1984 under the Korean Film Council, KAFA serves as Korea’s premier national film school and has produced many of the country’s most celebrated filmmakers, including Bong Joon-ho, Hur Jin-ho and Choi Dong-hoon. To date, KAFA has trained approximately 900 film professionals through a highly selective, production-centered curriculum. 

“CineNext: Stories from KAFA” highlights films that have received significant international acclaim, offering L.A. audiences a rare opportunity to experience the diversity and creativity of emerging Korean cinema. 

The Dec. 9 event beings at 6:30 p.m. with short films and a director talk with Heo Gayoung. The opening night will feature two works by Gayoung including “First Summer” and “Where Roots Go,” along with “Hole” by Hwang Hyein. 

Following the screening, the director will join the audience for a discussion about her films, creative process and experiences at Cannes. 

The Dec. 10 event starts at 7 p.m. and includes feature animation and a director’s talk with Kim Bosol. “The Square” by Bosol will be shown, and the director share insights into his animation process and journey across international festivals. 

“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,” KAFA Director Geunsik Cho said. “We also look forward to this event becoming a meaningful starting point for creative exchange between young filmmakers of both countries.” 

“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,” KCCLA Director Haedon Lee added. “We hope that audiences in the film capital of Los Angeles will discover the richness, diversity and creative spirit of Korea’s emerging filmmakers.” 

The Korean Cultural Center Los Angeles is located at 5505 Wilshire Blvd. Admission is free with advance reservations by visiting kccla.org.