JEONJU INT'L FILM FESTIVAL GOES ONLINE

[Anchor Lead]

As the host of an annual international film festival, Jeonju in Jeollabukdo Province saw its streets teeming with movie fans around this time every year. But things are quite different this year because of the coronavirus pandemic. All outdoors being cancelled and movies will be screened online during the festival period.

[Pkg]

​​Launched in 2000, the Jeonju International Film Festival celebrates its 21st anniversary. Having gained global reputation for supporting independent and alternative films across the world, JIFF attracted tens of thousands of movie fans every spring. This year, it's been scaled-down and will be held a month later than originally scheduled due to the COVID-19 outbreak. All outdoor events are canceled, including opening and closing ceremonies. There will be no audience present.

[Soundbite] SEO BAE-WON(JEONJU CITY GOV'T) : "Social and economic burdens would be huge if movie viewers from out of town come to Jeonju and are confirmed to be infected during the festival period."

The organizers decided to hold a virtual film festival instead. With consent from directors and distributors, participating movies will be screened via JIFF's online platform during the ten-day festival period. Nearly 200 entries could be screened at cinemas after the festival is over, if the pandemic ends.

[Soundbite] CHANG SEONG-HO(JIFF ORGANIZING COMMITTEE) : "We are preparing to screen all movies participating in the festival. Therefore, this year's edition will be running long, for about four months, instead of the usual ten-days."

The outbreak is forcing the film festival to go online for the first time ever. Attention turns to how movie fans will respond to the unprecedented change.