KCCLA launches first Los Angeles Korean Film Festival

The Korean Cultural Center, Los Angeles will host the inaugural LA Korean Film Festival: New Waves, New Voices from Sept. 24-26 at Harmony Gold Preview House and KCCLA. The free event features 19 Korean independent, art and short films, including North American premieres, plus an AI-focused program and guest Q&As.

Why it matters: - The inaugural festival is built to broaden Korean cinema’s reach in Los Angeles beyond mainstream commercial releases. - The event brings Korean filmmakers, actors, audiences and film professionals together for exchange between the Korean and U.S. film industries. - All screenings and programs are free and open to the public, which lowers the barrier to entry for local audiences.

What happened: - The Korean Cultural Center, Los Angeles announced the first Los Angeles Korean Film Festival: New Waves, New Voices. - The three-day festival runs Sept. 24-26, 2026, at Harmony Gold Preview House and KCCLA. - The lineup includes 19 Korean independent, art and short films. - Many of the selections are North American premieres. - The festival is presented by KCCLA in collaboration with the Korean Film Council, King Sejong Institute Center, U.S., Mise-en-scène Short Film Festival and Korean American Leaders in Hollywood.

The details: - Curator Kim Young-woo organized the festival around three core sections and additional programs. - The New Voice section includes six contemporary independent and art films. - The opening film is Yoon Ga-eun’s The World of Love. - The World of Love was the first Korean film selected for the Platform competition at the Toronto International Film Festival and won the FIPRESCI Prize at the Warsaw International Film Festival. - The Spotlight section features four signature films honoring director Kim Jee-woon and actor Yoo Ji-tae. - Kim Jee-woon and Yoo Ji-tae are scheduled to attend in person for Q&A sessions. - The Next Scene section presents seven award-winning short films in their North American premieres from the 2026 Mise-en-scène Short Film Festival. - The festival also includes a special AI & Cinema program with a panel titled “Who Gets to Make a Movie? Cinema in the Age of AI.” - The AI program includes screenings of two AI-crafted short films by graduates of the Korean Academy of Film Arts. - The festival will also host an exclusive Korean Cinema Night at KCCLA for visiting directors and actors, U.S. film industry professionals and media guests. - Advance registration is recommended. - Event details and RSVP information are available through Eventbrite. - KCCLA directs audiences to its official website and social media channels for updates.

Between the lines: - The festival blends prestige programming, emerging filmmakers and technology-focused discussion, signaling an attempt to position Korean cinema as both culturally established and creatively forward-looking. - The inclusion of North American premieres and guest Q&As suggests KCCLA is using the festival to deepen industry visibility, not just audience attendance. - The AI program adds a timely debate point as film communities wrestle with how artificial intelligence may change creative production.

What's next: - KCCLA says guest participation, film lineup, schedule and program details remain subject to change. - Audiences can expect additional updates through KCCLA’s website and social channels before the Sept. 24 opening. - The festival’s success may help shape whether LAKFF becomes an annual platform for Korean independent and short-form cinema in the city.

The bottom line: - KCCLA is launching a free, three-day Korean film festival in Los Angeles that pairs premieres and filmmaker access with a conversation about the future of cinema.