Dear film lovers and fans of Korean cinema and Asian arts, we are proud to present a rich and innovative program to mark our 11th anniversary this year under the theme: "Arts and Technologies: Sleep, Dream, Body." Our festival has made its mark these past years by bringing Canadian audiences an array of Korean works that are shaping modern cinema. We have developed partnerships that allow us to show these works in innovative spaces that encourage reflection and exchange. We look forward to sharing another thought-provoking and enjoyable program with you this year. Please join us May 22nd-31st!
‍
Marie Boti, Member of the Board of Directors

Hello,The 11th Korean Film Festival Canada 2024, hosted by the Asia Arts Research Institute (AAPlab) and Arts East-West, is a cultural event aimed at introducing Korean and Asian arts to the Canadiancommunity and promoting cultural exchange between nations.

Film serves as a powerful medium for understanding different cultures and facilitating meaningful communication. The exchange of films between Korea and Canada contributes to enhancing understanding and respect for the cultures, histories, and societies of both countries, while also strengthening the deep friendship and mutual respect between our citizens.

Through this film festival, we hope that audiences will have the opportunity to explore the diverse cultural backgrounds and social phenomena of Korea and Asia, and deepen their understanding of the development of Korean art. Thank you.

LEE Jae-wan, Ambassador / Consul General Representative on the ICAO Council

The Centre for Asian Studies at the Université de Montréal is pleased to support the 11thedition of the Korean Film Festival Canada. This annual event, which showcases Korean cinematic arts, highlights the vibrancy of Korean culture in Canada and internationally. The support from the Centre for Asian Studies and the Université de Montréal reflects our strong commitment to the development and promotion of Korean and Asian studies in general. We thank all the event organizers for their dedication and wish all participants a wonderful Korean Film Festival.

Gabriel Fauveaud, Director of the Center for Asian Studies Université de Montréal

Centre d’art dédié au soutien de l’expérimentation artistique, de la recherche et de la réflexion en lien avec les pratiques de l’image et les enjeux de société actuels, Dazibao est heureux d’accueillir le Festival du film coréen au Canada pour son édition 2024 et a hâte de découvrir la programmation préparée par leur dynamique équipe. Aujourd’hui, plus que jamais, il est important pour les organisations culturelles de mettre en commun les précieuses ressources dont nous disposons afin de maintenir vivants le partage et la conversation au sein des différentes communautés. Nous souhaitons à toutes et à tous un bon festival!

France Choinière, Direction

Welcome to the 11th Korean Film Festival Canada, celebrating the excellence of Asian cinema!

Since its inception, our festival has been dedicated to showcasing the diverse and remarkable achievements of Asian media arts, highlighting unique perspectives and artistic prowess. As we mark our 11th edition, we proudly continue this tradition of celebrating Asian excellence in cinema.

Storytelling and cultural exchange are more vital than ever, and our festival serves as a platform for dialogue, connection, and appreciation of Korean Canadian and pan-Asian Canadian identity. Despite the challenges, we remain a beacon for the representation of Asian culture in Quebec.

Join us on this cinematic journey to immerse yourself in the beauty and diversity of Asian cinema. From compelling narratives to breathtaking visuals, we promise an unforgettable experience celebrating the richness of Asian culture and storytelling.

We are grateful to our dedicated teams, talented filmmakers, sponsors, partners, volunteers, and most importantly, our loyal audience. Your unwavering support is essential to the success of the festival, and we are thankful for the opportunity to share these exceptional films with you.

Thank you for joining us at the 11th Korean Film Festival Canada. We look forward to welcoming you to our screenings, events, and discussions as we celebrate the magic of Asian cinema together.

Vincent Toi, Member of the Board of Directors

C’est avec un grand plaisir que la onzième édition du Festival du film coréen - Canada (KFFC) me laisse carte-libre en tant que commissaire pour deux programmations de courts métrages sur les thèmes du Sommeil, Rêve, Corps, dans un contexte de l’Asie représentée dans toute sa largeur: Asie dite mineur, le Moyen-Orient et l’extrême Orient et dans sa diaspora non seulement au Canada mais aussi en Europe, puisse vous présenter des voix plurielles qui pensent à nos technologies; nos corps, nos spiritualités et nos espaces. 
‍
Émigrant.e.s et immigrant.e.s n’étant (pas encore) (re)venu.e.s ou ayant quitté ces lieux (dé)laissés pour mieux rêver un avenir. Pour exprimer ces ressentis, la technologie parle d’archives avec Alphabet coréen d’In Tae Kim (1967, ONF), des lieux; Mongkok Babylon (George Fok), Seolmunae (Maïté Minh Tâm Maeum Jeannolin), Des voisins dans ma cour (Eli Jean Tahchi), Yesterday (Elmira Laki), Spirit Keepers of Makuta’ay (Yen Chao Lin), Canada Park (Razan AlSalah), Burial of this Order (Jane Jin Kaisen) et Voyages dans nos Indes intérieures (Daphné LeSergent) ainsi que des corps Along Together (Chun Hua Catherine Dong), 4 films (Niceaunties) ainsi que les animations de Yoriko Mizushiri Anxious Body et Abby (Fanny Lord-Bourcier) .
‍
Voici un événement qui célèbre les six décennies qui continue à tisser les liens entre la Corée du Sud et le Canada. En espérant que la continuité ce partage culturel soit florissant et enrichissant.

kimura byol lemoine, Director of TTT (2024) / Asian Short Films Program Curator

I really wanted to say how proud I was to be part of this festival, to have my work featured alongside that of a Korean artists and filmmakers, because for my part I was born in Seoul and adopted in France, and my artistic work has only been considered twice in my life among those of the Korean diaspora, this time of course, and in an exhibition held in Incheon two years ago at the Incheon platform. The exhibition was called Rice Paper Airplane and focused on the artistic work of Koreans of the diaspora. Because often we Korean adoptees are just seen as the nationality of the adoptive country. As an adoptee for my part, I find the feeling was that you had toblend in, fit in, not make any waves except of course that of excellence or success.

In France, Fleur Pélerin, former Minister of Culture under President François Hollande, and Pierre Sang Boyer, a renowned chef, are adopted Koreans who do more for their work than for their identity. This success story could end there, and my presentation, short as it is, could also end without asking a question that has been a recurringtheme in my life. Where do you come from? I've always been asked in front of my Korean face. To this, I always feel like answering: I'm from next door, I came down to buy some bread, would you like to see my passport? When he returns home, the Korean of the diaspora hopes to find the sources of his memories intact. When they arrive in Korea, adoptees have everything to build on: learning the language, the culture, creating strongemotional ties with friends and family - a second adoption, in short. So, if the Korean of the diaspora is trying toretrive something, the Korean adoptee is trying to find something. This is where the real journey begins.
‍
Daphné Nan Le Sergent, Director of Voyages dans nos Indes intérieures (2019)

I have known KFFC for a long time through my long-standing friendship with Mi-Jeong, and it is great to see that it has persisted to this day with its own stand and selection of films with good artistic taste, and is becoming more and more vibrant. I am honored to have my fiction film "A Touch of Spring" screened at this film festival in 2022. It was a very pleasant experience.
When Mi-Jeong invited me to come back to KFFC to screen my documentary "My Father's Journey", I was deeply grateful because this film means something special to me and I hope it will be seen by as many as possible different groups of audiences.

I look forward to communicating with the audience after the screening. Welcome to watch my film and other films in KFFC. You will definitely be pleased by the good movies.

Xiaodan He, Director of My Father's Journey (2020)

Congratulations on the 11th Korean Film Festival Canada (KFFC)! I was thrilled to hear that Take Care of My Cat (2001) will be screened at this year's festival. Take Care of My Cat (2001) was made with “film” back in 2001, as there was the new millennium. Due to the limitations of film media, it has been challenging to screen it until now. Fortunately, with the support of the SEOUL International Women's Film Festival, we were able to complete a digital remastered version in celebration of its 20th anniversary of the movie in 2021. Thanks to this, Take Care of My Cat (2001) is now freely traveling around the world, just as I had always dreamed. I am also very pleased that one of its destinations is somewhere in Canada this time around. I hope you enjoy this youthful and refreshing film.

JEONG Jae-eun, Director of Take Care of My Cat (2001)

Thank you for choosing the films in the Korean Film Festival Canada over the box office top movies. I’m so glad to meet you through my film along with other great Korean films.

Although the film industry has significantly expanded its size and quantity, it seems the opportunity for non-mainstream films to meet a wide range of audiences is decreasing. The endeavor of Arts East-West to introduce diverse films and audience support to keep the festival going becomes even more precious in this circumstance.
I really appreciate that each of you plays the role of bridging the arts of two worlds.
I hope your experiences with KFFC will be great ones.

SEOL Suan, Director of Time of Seeds (2022)

Warmest congratulations to the Arts East-West’s Korean Film Festival Canada 2024 (KFFC) on this remarkable milestone! It’s truly an honor to have my film “Yesterday” selected for this prestigious event. I extend my deepest gratitude to the organizers for their hard work and dedication in curating such a diverse and captivating lineup. To fellow filmmakers, artists, and audiences, I am thrilled to share this cinematic journey with you. Here’s to an unforgettable festival experience filled with inspiration, connection, and creativity. Wishing the 11th KFFC an impactful and unforgettable event!

Elmira Laki, Director of Yesterday (2023)