Sydney, Australia – The Korean Cultural Centre Australia (Korean Consulate-General in Sydney) announced that the 2025 Korean Film Festival in Australia was held at Event Cinemas Sydney, attracting a total of over 1,200 local attendees. This year marks the 16th edition of the festival, which is held annually in central Sydney to expand the presence of Korean cinema in Australia. The festival screened 10 new Korean films making their Australian debut, offering local audiences a diverse showcase of contemporary Korean cinema. More than 80% of attendees were non-Korean locals, reflecting strong interest in Korean culture and the growing potential for the wider appreciation of Korean films within Australian society. The opening reception was attended by more than 100 guests, including director Cho Sun-ho, members of the local political and diplomatic community, representatives from the Sydney Opera House, Screen Australia, the City of Parramatta and other local governments, officials from related organisations such as the Japan Foundation, local film festival representatives, broadcasters, academics, and media. Prior to the screening of the opening film “The Whispering”, invitees enjoyed a 50-minute program and catering service, followed by a Q&A session with the director and cast. Following the screening of 'Hear me:Our Summer', a Q&A session was held with director Cho Sun-ho and Australian film critic Russell Edwards. After the screening of “The Noisy of Mension,” director Lee Luda and actress Kyeong Su-jin participated in a discussion, while director Yang Woo-seok and Professor Greg Dolgopolov joined a Q&A session after “About Family.” In collaboration with the University of New South Wales’ Film Studies Department, the festival also featured an open-form masterclass where students and participants engaged directly with the directors. This year’s festival was held in partnership with city councils, cinemas, PR agencies, and educational institutions, and provided promotional opportunities for Korean businesses related to tourism, K-food, and K-beauty, supporting their efforts to explore the local market through the platform of the festival. The Korean Cultural Centre announced its plan to continue expanding director invitations and Q&A programs in order to move beyond simple film screenings and further enhance the distinctive purpose of the festival. The Centre also aims to develop additional side events to strengthen communication between audiences and creators, and to continue promoting the spread of Korean film and culture throughout Australia. | 
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