Korean Documentary Film Forum hosted by Korean Film Council
  • Mon, 22 September, 15:00 - 18:00  |  Day 3
  • Event Room D
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  • #Production
  • #Distribution
  • #Director
The Korean Film Council (KOFIC) conducts forums focused on presenting standard production cost guidelines for Korean documentaries and various distribution approaches.

Through these forums, KOFIC aims to build networks among documentary filmmakers and industry stakeholders, and to provide opportunities to explore solutions for the evolving film environment.

Korean Documentary Film Forum Section #1: Standard Guidelines for Korean Documentary Production Costs

Moderator
JO Sona (Founder/Producer, Sona Films)

Jo Sona is a documentary producer whose work focuses on war, ideology, trauma, and women. She began her career as a production manager on a Korea–Belgium co-production and has since produced a wide range of documentaries in collaboration with directors across Korea and Asia. Her recent credits include Free Chol Soo Lee (2024), which won the 2024 Emmy Award for Outstanding Historical Documentary, and earned her the MPA Producer Award at the 2024 Wildflower Film Awards.

Panelist
HAN Kyungsoo (Founder, Argus Film)

Kyungsoo has produced documentary films since 1999, including My Love, Don’t Cross That River (2014, 4.8M viewers in cinemas, audience award at Vision du Reel and Moscow IFF) and With or Without You (2015, co-produced with ZDF/Arte, DRTV, Al Jazeera). Recent works include Hanwha Eagles: Club House (2022, WATCHA original series) and 1980 Sabuk (2024, Best Korean Film & FIPRESCI at DMZ Docs). He is currently producing Can I Talk to You? (directed by Yi Seungjun) and Prayer (directed by Audrius Stonys).

PARK Chae-eun (Co-founder, Indie & Impact Media Lab)

Park Chae-eun is a documentary producer, activist, and co-founder of Indie & Impact Media Lab, exploring independent media and social impact storytelling.

Korean Documentary Film Forum Section #2: Documentary Distribution: Listening to Diverse Voices

Moderator
KIM Sunah (CEO, Gina Dreams Production)

Kim Sunah is a Korean-American filmmaker dedicated to stories that illuminates the human spirit. Based in South Korea, her producing credits include Singing with Angry Bird (2016), Coming to You, Minu (2020), The Birth of Resonance (2021), and Netflix’s My Love: Six Stories of True Love (2021). She co-founded the Korean Documentary Network and led industry programming at DMZ Docs (2022–2023). As a lecturer, consultant, and mentor, she works with emerging and veteran filmmakers to bring powerful documentary voices to the world.

Panelist
WON Seunghwan (Director, Indie Space)

Won Seunghwan is the Director of Indie Space, Korea’s first dedicated cinema for independent films. He began his film career in 1996 with the Film Society Amenic in Daegu and later co-founded the Daegu Independent Film Association. He has also served as Secretary-General of the Korean Independent Film & Video Association and as head of the Independent Film Distribution Support Center.

KIM Daehyun (Documentary Filmmaker)

Kim Daehyun began his career with short films such as Underground Dweller (1993) and Namaste Seoul (1995), which brought him early recognition. After working on feature films including Bloody Innocent (2010), he dedicated himself to documentaries such as Jeongdori (2025), Try to Remember (2015), and For the End of Time (2016). As the head of Indeline, he organized the Seoul Independent Film Festival and made various efforts to promote Korean independent cinema through the Korean Independent Film Library. He also served as the executive chair of the Geumgang History Film Festival, working to popularize historical films.

Korean Film Council