Korean films absent from Cannes' official selection for first time in 12 years
With Cannes previously having added films after official lineup announcement, still possibility Korean films could be included
For the first time in 12 years, no South Korean films have been included in the official selection of the Cannes Film Festival.
According to the festival's organizing committee, which announced the lineup for the 78th Cannes Film Festival on Thursday evening, no Korean films were named among the invited works. Korean films were not only excluded from the main competition section, where the Palme d'Or and other top honors are awarded, but also from out of competition categories and sidebars such as the midnight screenings and Un Certain Regard.
This marks the first time since 2013 that Korean cinema has been shut out from both competition and noncompetition categories at Cannes.
Among the domestic titles submitted to this year's festival were 'The Ugly' from "Train to Busan" director Yeon Sang-ho, 'The Journey to Gyeongju' from Kim Mi-jo and 'Omniscient Reader' from Kim Byung-woo.
Auteur and Oscar-winning Park Chan-wook's new film, 'No Other Choice,' was reportedly not submitted, as postproduction remained incomplete. This year's submission deadline for the Cannes Film Festival was March 14.
However, since the Cannes Film Festival has previously added films after its official announcement, there remains the possibility that a Korean film could still be included. Korean entries may also appear in parallel sections yet to be revealed, such as Directors' Fortnight and Critics' Week.
The last time a Korean film was in competition at Cannes was in 2022, with Park Chan-wook's 'Decision to Leave' and Japanese director Hirokazu Kore-eda's 'Broker,' the latter produced by a Korean company. This year marks the third consecutive absence of Korean films from the competition section.
In this year's competition lineup are 'The Mastermind' directed by Kelly Reichardt, 'Alpha' by Julia Ducournau and 'Two Prosecutors' by Sergei Loznitsa. Out of competition, 'Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning' is among the selections.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Korea Herald
6 hours ago
- Korea Herald
dotmill, Korean immersive content specialist, creates content for the Las Vegas Sphere
- Content direction and production for the world's largest spherical LED display, the Sphere - Co-produced with Galaxy Corporation, demonstrating Korea's immersive content capabilities on the global stage SEOUL, South Korea, June 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- South Korea's immersive content specialist dotmill participated in the content direction and production for the world's largest spherical LED display, the Sphere, located in Las Vegas, USA. This project was carried out in partnership with Galaxy Corporation, making dotmill the first Korean company to directly produce content for the Sphere. The Sphere is an ultra-large spherical media façade measuring 157 meters in diameter and 111 meters in height. It stands as the world's only immersive LED screen capable of a full 360-degree panoramic display. Due to its enveloping structure and curved surface, the platform demands sophisticated graphic design and spatial analysis, making it an iconic stage accessible to only a few global content producers. dotmill collaborated closely with Galaxy Corporation across the entire project spectrum—from planning and direction to production—crafting a new form of immersive content optimized for the Sphere's structural characteristics and immersive environment. The final content serves as part of a major Korean financial group's brand campaign. It opens with a scene where the "Daisy" motif and logo, symbolic of the brand's model, visually converge in outer space. Viewers are then immersed in the brand message through expressive digital artwork and cinematic production techniques. "The Sphere is not merely a colossal screen but a platform that requires an entirely new approach to content, both in terms of its physical structure and viewing environment. This project demanded technical interpretation and visual strategies vastly different from traditional video production processes, and we believe it is highly meaningful that we were able to meet those challenges successfully. Through our collaboration with Galaxy Corporation, we were able to demonstrate that dotmill's technological prowess and creativity are truly competitive on the global stage," a dotmill spokesperson commented. dotmill is a South Korean media-tech firm specializing in immersive content, including extended reality (XR), interactive media, and production and operations of theme attractions powered by digital twin technology. With a strong portfolio spanning major exhibition halls, urban content, and multi-purpose cultural spaces, the company plans to further solidify its global market position following the Sphere project. - About dotmill (KRX: 464580 KQ) Founded in 2015, dotmill is a leading South Korean immersive content specialist that plans, produces, and operates content based on extended reality (XR), interactive media, and digital twin technologies. With a unique blend of technical expertise and creative storytelling, dotmill is driving innovation in the global immersive content industry. The company has built a strong global reputation through a diverse portfolio of high-profile projects. These include content production for BLACKPINK's debut stage in 2016, holographic stage direction for BTS at the 2017 Mnet Asian Music Awards (MAMA), immersive content production for the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics, and the planning and production of the BTS exhibition series from 2023 to 2024. More recently, dotmill directed content for Samsung Electronics' THE WALL showcased at ISE 2025 and participated in the Las Vegas Sphere content project in 2025—further cementing its position as a pioneer in immersive media on the global stage. In addition to commissioned works, dotmill develops and operates its own immersive attraction IPs, including Lunafall, OPCI, Glow Safari, and Waterworld, offering innovative experiences that seamlessly blend physical spaces with digital content. Headquartered in Seoul, dotmill was listed on the KOSDAQ in 2024 and continues to expand globally with the vision of transforming the immersive content landscape—from planning and production to promotion and marketing.
Korea Herald
11 hours ago
- Korea Herald
Taman Safari Indonesia Welcomes Korean Travelers with Unlimited Joy Across All Destinations
SEOUL, South Korea, June 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Taman Safari Indonesia invites travellers from South Korea to experience year-round joy through a diverse array of attractions, from immersive wildlife adventures to romantic getaways and family-friendly activities, Taman Safari Indonesia offers something for every traveller. According to a report by Statistics Indonesia (BPS), a total of 436,054 Korean visitors travelled to Indonesia in 2024, with the highest number recorded in July during the school holiday and summer break. To meet rising interest, Taman Safari Indonesia, home to over 673 species and 22,963 animals from 5 continents, offers curated experiences designed for couples, families, and group travelers. Korean visitors and tour organizers can discover more about Taman Safari Indonesia's offerings at the Seoul International Travel Fair, taking place from 5 to 8 June 2025 at COEX, Seoul, Korea. A Safari Experience in the Heart of Nature The Great Taman Safari Bogor offers an immersive safari journey and a thrilling Night Safari experience. Guests can end the day at Safari Resort, where tropical forest ambience meets family-friendly accommodations and engaging activations. New Family Destination: Enchanting Valley Enchanting Valley, Taman Safari Indonesia's newest family-friendly attraction, blends outdoor fun with cultural experiences. Families can enjoy the whimsical Lila & Magical Forest Show, angklung performances, super wheels, giant net play areas, and more. The valley also offers culinary delights at several restaurants, including Amarta, Kembang Nona, and Pine Cone Café. Exotic Wildlife Meets Island Charm in Bali No visit to Indonesia is complete without exploring The Amazing Taman Safari Bali and The Exciting Marine Safari Bali where children can enjoy hands-on educational activities like animal feeding, elephant encounters, and conservation workshops. The park hosts unforgettable shows like the Bali Agung Performance and Varuna, Indonesia's first underwater theatrical dining experience. Dive into Fun at Jakarta Aquarium & Safari For visitors seeking marine adventures within the city, Jakarta Aquarium & Safari offers an exciting escape with interactive attractions such as the Piranha Feeding Show and the Penguin Parade. Guests can also dive deeper with immersive programs like Underwater Funtasy Diving and Aquatrekking, perfect for thrill-seekers of all ages. "Each of our destinations across Indonesia is thoughtfully curated to offer immersive adventures, meaningful cultural encounters, and joyful moments for every type of traveller. We look forward to creating unforgettable memories together, all year round," said Alexander Zulkarnain, SVP of Marketing, Taman Safari Indonesia.
Korea Herald
12 hours ago
- Korea Herald
MBC logs highest viewership on election night
Joint exit polls by broadcasters miss mark, with final tally showing tighter race South Korea's three major broadcast networks, KBS, MBC and SBS, aired marathon coverage of Tuesday's presidential election running some eight hours, with MBC emerging as the clear ratings leader. According to Nielsen Korea, MBC's 'Election 2025' drew the highest nationwide household viewership across all parts of its six-segment broadcast. Its ratings climbed steadily, with Part 1 drawing 4.3 percent, peaking at 14.5 percent in Part 3, and concluding at 5.4 percent in Part 6. MBC was the only network among the three to record double-digit ratings. KBS' election coverage, titled 'Vote That Changes My Life" (translated), saw more modest numbers, starting at 2.4 percent and reaching a high of 5.2 percent in Part 2 before tapering off to 2.0 percent. The SBS special, '2025 People's Vote" (translated), posted still lower figures, opening at 1.4 percent and peaking at 3.7 percent in Parts 3 and 4, before ending at 1.2 percent. MBC's ratings dominance follows a strong performance during April's general election, when it led all Korean broadcasters with a viewership high of 11.7 percent. With election night coverage stretching eight to nine hours, each broadcaster introduced distinct features to retain viewer interest. MBC drew attention for a cinematic countdown video that wove together major moments in Korean history. One segment linked a 1946 speech by independence leader Kim Gu with BTS frontman RM's 2018 address to the United Nations -- an editing choice that garnered considerable online engagement for blending historical gravitas with contemporary cultural relevance. SBS leaned into playful visual effects, incorporating pop culture parodies, including references to "Squid Game" and the viral Pikki Pikki cheerleading dance, both of which gained traction on social media. Meanwhile, the accuracy of exit polls conducted jointly by KBS, MBC and SBS was called into question due to the significant difference between the exit polls and the final vote tally. The poll surveyed 80,146 voters at 325 polling stations nationwide on the day of the election, between 6 a.m. and 8 p.m. It carried a margin of error of plus or minus 0.8 percentage points at a 95 percent confidence level. The poll projected a decisive win for Democratic Party candidate Lee Jae-myung with 51.7 percent of the vote, compared to 39.3 percent for Kim Moon-soo of the People Power Party -- a projected gap of 12.4 percentage points. However, the final tally showed a narrower margin: Lee received 49.42 percent of the votes, while Kim garnered 41.15 percent, which amounted to an actual gap of 8.27 percentage points. The low accuracy of the exit polls is largely interpreted as stemming from high turnout during early voting, which took place May 29 and 30 and saw a participation rate of 34.74 percent. Since exit polling is conducted only on Election Day, early voters' preferences may have been harder to capture. To account for potential discrepancies stemming from the early voting turnout, an additional 11,500 people were surveyed by phone and correction factors were applied to the data. Despite these efforts, the broadcasters ultimately failed to deliver an accurate prediction. Some politicians attributed the miscalculation to the influence of so-called 'shy conservatives.' During a radio broadcast on Wednesday, Woo Sang-ho, co-chair of the Democratic Party of Korea's election campaign committee, remarked, 'It has been clearly confirmed that shy conservatives made up about 5 to 5.5 percent,' noting that 'voters in this group, who had been hesitant to cast their ballots, ultimately turned out in full force.' In the 2022 presidential election, exit poll results showed Democratic Party candidate Lee Jae-myung with 47.8 percent and People Power Party candidate Yoon Suk-yeol with 48.4 percent. The actual vote count closely aligned, with Lee receiving 47.8 percent and Yoon 48.5 percent. The early voting turnout during the 2022 presidential election reached 36.93 percent nationwide. The additional phone surveys were conducted to improve accuracy and were credited with producing exit poll estimates that were nearly spot-on.
