The Korean Cultural Center, Los Angeles is launching the inaugural “Los Angeles Korean Film Festival: New Waves, New Voices” from Sept. 24-26 at the Harmony Gold Preview House and KCCLA.

Moving beyond commercial mainstream cinema, the landmark three-day event presents 19 groundbreaking Korean independent, art and short films – many of which are making their North American premieres. The goal is to introduce new artistic perspectives to Los Angeles audiences.

The festival will bring Korean filmmakers, actors, audiences and film professionals together, fostering communication and exchange between the Korean and U.S. film industries. Curated by programmer Kim Young-woo, the festival features three core program sections alongside guest visits, a special program on AI and networking events.

Festival programs include “The New Voice” showcasing six contemporary independent and art films, headlined by the opening film “The World of Love” directed by Yoon Ga-eun. The celebrated work is the first Korean film selected for the Platform competition at the Toronto International Film Festival and a FIPRESCI Prize winner at the Warsaw International Film Festival.

“The Spotlight” highlights four signature films remembering two legendary figures in Korean cinema: acclaimed genre director Kim Jee-woon and iconic actor Yoo Ji-tae, both of whom will attend the festival as special guests for in-person Q&A sessions.

“The Next Scene” presents seven award-winning short films in their North American premieres from the prestigious 2026 Mise-en-scène Short Film Festival, Korea’s premier breeding ground for visionary genre filmmakers.

Expanding into modern cinematic frontiers, the festival will also host a special AI and Cinema program. The event explores the evolving role of artificial intelligence in the creative process through a panel discussion titled “Who Gets to Make a Movie? Cinema in the Age of AI” as well as screenings of two AI-crafted short films by graduates of the Korean Academy of Film Arts.

The festival will also bring together visiting directors and actors, U.S. film industry professionals and media guests for an exclusive Korean Cinema Night at the KCCLA.

“Los Angeles is a city where filmmakers and audiences from around the world come together. We hope this festival will add new and distinctive Korean voices and perspectives to that conversation and create opportunities for meaningful connection between the two film industries,” KCCLA Director Haedon Lee said.

The inaugural Los Angeles Korean Film Festival is presented by KCCLA in collaboration with the Korean Film Council, King Sejong Institute Center, U.S., Mise-en-scène Short Film Festival and Korean American Leaders in Hollywood.

All festival screenings and programs are free and open to the public. The Harmony Gold Preview House is located at 7655 Sunset Blvd. KCCLA is located at 5505 Wilshire Blvd. For the full program, screening schedules and reservation information, visit la.korean-culture.org.