KOFIC to Launch Regular Screenings at 60 Theaters Nationwide

The Korean Film Council (Chairperson Han Sang-jun; hereinafter KOFIC) will launch its 2026 Independent and Art-House Film Screening Program at 60 commercial theaters across the country beginning June 1. The initiative is expected to give residents in regions underserved by dedicated art-house venues the opportunity to access a wider range of films at their nearest cinema, broadening cultural participation at the local level.

In April, KOFIC issued a public call for applications targeting commercial theaters located in municipalities without dedicated art-house venues. Following a comprehensive evaluation of operational capacity and regional accessibility, 60 theaters were selected: 50 chain theaters and 10 independent theaters.

Participating theaters will offer regular independent and art-house film screenings from June through the end of December. To maximize attendance, screenings will be prioritized during high-demand time slots: weekday evenings (6:00–10:00 PM) and weekend and public holiday afternoons and evenings (12:00 PM–10:00 PM).

Audiences will be able to book tickets for independent and art-house titles through each theater's website or mobile app using the same process as standard commercial releases. KOFIC will arrange for promotional materials and independent film trailers to be displayed at box offices and on online ticketing pages on an ongoing basis, ensuring audiences have easy access to program information.

GV (audience Q&A) sessions featuring directors and cast members will also be held. GV events at regional theaters are expected to create meaningful opportunities for dialogue between filmmakers and local audiences, while helping to establish local cinemas as community cultural spaces.

Chairperson Han Sang-jun remarked: "This program is significant in that it reduces the cultural gap between regions and expands the range of films available to audiences. We hope that independent and art-house films — titles that have until now been difficult to encounter at mainstream theaters — will reach a broader audience and gain new momentum."

KOFIC stated its intention to continue expanding screening environments that make independent and art-house cinema accessible throughout the country, with the goal of progressively broadening both audience access and the opportunity to engage with film culture nationwide.

▲ 2026 Independent and Art-House Film Screening Program: Overview

• Program name: 2026 Independent and Art-House Film Screening Program
• Operating period: 2026.06.01 (Mon) – 2026.12.31 (Thu)
• Objective: Expand access to and enjoyment of independent and art-house cinema by utilizing commercial theaters in areas without dedicated venues
• Key activities: Regular independent and art-house film screenings (prioritized during weekday evening and weekend prime-time slots); GV sessions and film events with invited directors and cast members
• Participating venues: 60 selected theaters nationwide (50 chain theaters; 10 independent theaters)