This section features films directed by women and works centered on women's issues, all produced in Korea. It sheds light on the discourse and stylistic trends of contemporary Korean cinema. It offers audiences a close look at the subjects and stories Korean filmmakers are engaging with and reveals diverse creative approaches and perspectives on the world around us. This year's lineup includes 5 feature-length documentaries, 5 narrative features, and 16 short films that cross genres from fiction and experimental to animation.
Edhi Alice: Reverse, which screened at the International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam, and Edhi Alice: Take, premiering at this year's SIWFF, are the latest works by director Kim Ilran, known for her continued exploration of new forms in documentary filmmaking. These two films, edited in different ways, reflect on transgender ontology and explore cinematic aesthetics through the layered concept of "transition." Colorless, Odorless, which examines industrial accidents in the semiconductor industry while exploring the possibilities and limits of the camera, and Pink Moon, which tells the story of first-generation feminist painter Yun Suknam, each explores their subjects with depth and breadth through distinct attitudes and narrative approaches. The Meryl Streep Project begins with a simple wish to meet Meryl Streep, but gradually unfolds into a self-portrait of the director as she grows through turbulent times. The film offers a glimpse into how documentary has served as both a tool and a doorway for contemporary female creators. Stories of young women come to life in the narrative films through diverse themes and unique rhythms. SAVE depicts a subtle portrayal of the emotions and relationships of a character on the brink of independence. Red Nails follows its protagonist facing financial hardship with a unique rhythm and tone. I Am Happy approaches the familiar yet distant topic of depression with a calm, humorous, and sincere gaze. The Final Semester quietly portrays the experiences of a trainee during her internship, while Manok examines the face of a middle-aged lesbian woman from various angles. Together, these films capture the landscape of "here and now."
Along with 8 diverse short films that explore a wide range of cinematic possibilities through a more freeform approach, the festival also presents 8 animated works by director Joung Yumi, who created this year's festival poster and trailer.
