The 2025 Korean Film Festival in Australia (KOFFIA) has officially opened in Sydney, featuring ten films making their Australian premiere. The festival celebrates the distinctive qualities of Korean cinema while bringing diverse storytelling to audiences across the country through both premium screenings and a comprehensive free touring program.
First-time director Lee Lu-da highlighted what she considers a defining characteristic of Korean cinema during the festival's opening. She described Korean films as embodying a "together culture," emphasizing how her own work, "The Noisy Mansion," reflects the communal nature of Korean society rather than focusing on individualism. This perspective offers insight into the cultural values that distinguish Korean filmmaking from Western approaches to storytelling.
The festival's lineup demonstrates remarkable diversity in both genre and scope. Among the featured films is a meticulously restored 4K version of "Shiri" from 1999, allowing audiences to experience this classic Korean thriller with enhanced visual quality. The programming also includes the romantic drama "Hear Me: Our Summer," the psychological mystery "Hidden Face," and several other compelling titles such as "The Daechi Scandal," "Dirty Money," "Secret: Untold Melody," and "About Family."
KOFFIA's touring program represents a significant commitment to making Korean cinema accessible to regional Australian communities. Running from September 13 to October 12, the tour will provide free screenings across six regional cities, ensuring that audiences outside major metropolitan areas can experience these films without financial barriers. The touring selection includes four carefully chosen titles: "The Noisy Mansion," "Hear Me: Our Summer," "About Family," and "Forbidden Fairytale."
The regional tour will visit Benalla, Toowoomba, Parramatta, Alice Springs, Victor Harbor, and Whitsunday, bringing Korean cinema to diverse communities across Australia. This extensive outreach program demonstrates the festival's dedication to cultural exchange and its recognition of the growing international interest in Korean film and storytelling traditions.
