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'30 Reasons Why You Shouldn't Give Up on Film'Provided by CJ ENM

Korea National University of Arts (K-Arts), widely regarded as the country's premier incubator for film talent, is marking its 30th anniversary with a collaboration with major investor-distributor CJ ENM. Titled "30 Reasons Why You Shouldn't Give Up on Film," the project brings together 30 filmmakers—working directors, faculty members, and current students from K-Arts' School of Film, TV & Multimedia—each contributing a three-minute short to form a three-act omnibus feature. The film opens exclusively at CGV theaters on January 14, with one act released every Wednesday, followed by a five-day complete screening beginning February 4.

The project commemorates the shared 30th anniversary of both K-Arts' School of Film, TV & Multimedia and CJ ENM. The creative team worked around the keywords "30" and "omen," resulting in 30 distinct stories reflecting varied styles and sensibilities. The three acts are organized by genre: Act 1 "Warm Up" features comedy, Act 2 "Deep Field" encompasses silent film, documentary, and art cinema, while Act 3 "Impact Zone" explores horror.

The director lineup includes prominent emerging voices: Yoon Ga-eun ("The World of Love"), Kim Do-young ("Kim Ji-young, Born 1982"), and Kim Tae-yeop ("Lovely Runner"). The cast features Jung Yu-mi, Ok Ja-yeon, Shin Eun-soo, Kim Su-an, and Choi Seong-eun. The trailer opens with "Has cinema... failed?" and "According to the data, it's dead"—acknowledging current industry anxieties while promising fresh creative perspectives.

Ticket prices are set at 3,000 won per act and 8,000 won for the complete screening, designed to lower barriers while testing audience appetite for theatrical short films.

Since 1996, K-Arts has produced key figures including Na Hong-jin ("The Wailing"), Jang Jae-hyun ("Exhuma"), and Lee Jeong-beom ("The Man from Nowhere"). This project notably brings established alumni together with current students, making visible the institution's 30-year educational legacy.

Significance and Outlook

The production team stated the project "originated from an effort to discover new creators and restore vitality to theaters." As Korean cinema faces declining attendance, rising costs, and streaming competition, this distributor-institution partnership model merits attention. For international professionals, this project offers a window into Korea's filmmaking talent pool—30 directors presenting work simultaneously showcases the breadth of creative approaches within Korean cinema.

Source

• Maxmovie, "'30 Reasons Why You Shouldn't Give Up on Film' Is Here", 2026.01 03

https://www.maxmovie.com/news/445184

• MTN (Money Today Network), "CJ ENM and K-Arts Celebrate Shared 30th Anniversary with Joint Project Opening January 14", 2026.01.05

https://news.mtn.co.kr/news-detail/2026010510362441508

• Women's News, "K-Arts School of Film 30th Anniversary: 30 Reasons Why You Shouldn't Give Up on Film", 2026.01.05

https://www.womennews.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=271616