2026 Korean Film Festival Celebrates “Stories That Move Us”
The Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines (KCC) has successfully concluded the 2026 Korean Film Festival (KFF) under the theme “K-Story: Stories that Move Us,” bringing together film, literature, and webtoons to celebrate storytelling and strengthen cultural ties between Korea and the Philippines.
The festival opened on August 5 with the Kwentong Korea: Student Short Film Competition, recognizing young Filipino filmmakers for their creativity. “When Love Met a Language” by students from the University of the Philippines Diliman took home the Grand Winner award. As part of their prize, the winning team will travel to South Korea to attend the 2026 Busan International Film Festival.
KFF also highlighted the connection between Korean webtoons and Filipino graphic storytelling through Meet the Mentor: Webtoon Artist, featuring Korean webtoon creator Lee Younchang, known for “My Daughter is a Zombie,” and Filipino graphic novelist Arnold Arre, creator of “The Mythology Class” and “The Children of Bathala.” The program included a Philippines-Korea talkback and a special webtoon workshop for aspiring artists.
The festival wrapped up with free Korean film screenings from August 7 to 9 at selected SM Cinema branches in SM Mall of Asia, SM North EDSA, SM City Iloilo, and SM Lanang. Featured films included “Your Letter,” “Love in the Big City,” “My Daughter is a Zombie,” “Omniscient Reader,’ and “Yumi’s Cells: The Movie.”
Through “K-Story: Stories that Move Us,” the 2026 Korean Film Festival showcased how stories can cross borders, connect generations, and inspire audiences through different forms of creative expression.
The festival was presented by the Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines in collaboration with the Korean Film Council, Film Development Council of the Philippines, Animation Council of the Philippines, Inc., Metropolitan Museum of Manila, and SM Cinema.
PR from the Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines
