Mokpo Theater International Film Festival (1)

Festival start: 24 April 2026      Festival end: 26 April 2026

Launched in 1926 as the first modern theater in the region, Mokpo Theater has long been the heart of South Korea’s early cinematic history. Reborn in 2026, the Mokpo Theater Film Festival (MTFF) continues this century-old legacy, evolving into a dynamic platform for discovering the next generation of global cinema.

Unlike traditional annual festivals, MTFF operates on a unique quarterly cycle (April, July, and October), culminating in the Grand Final Awards Ceremony in December. This structure ensures a year-round celebration of filmmaking and continuous engagement with the audience.

Cash Prizes: 6,500$

Cash prize

1. Organization
The Mokpo Theater Film Festival is hosted and managed by Mokpo Theater, and co-hosted/co-managed by Sejong Sangja Co., Ltd. and Mokpo Cinematheque.


2. Purpose
The festival aims to discover and introduce outstanding films produced worldwide, contributing to the activation and diversity of film culture. The 2026 festival focuses on screening and awarding diverse films through a competitive selection process. These regulations are established to ensure mutual understanding and agreement between the festival and the submitters.


3. Festival Dates
The 2026 Mokpo Theater Film Festival is held quarterly, with the Final awards Ceremony taking place at the end of the year.


4. Competition Sections
The official competition sections are as follows. Special categories may be added if necessary.

1. International Competition: Open to films produced worldwide, regardless of nationality.

2. Korean Competition: Open to films produced in South Korea, highlighting new trends in Korean cinema.

3. Special Competition: Specific themes, regions, or formats designated by the organizing committee. Details will be announced prior to each edition.


5. awards (Mokpo Theater Film Festival awards)
The annual awards ceremony is held in December, concluding the year by honoring excellent short films selected during the quarterly festivals (April, July, and October).

1. awards & prizes: Focusing on official competition sections, winners will receive cash and prizes worth a total of 10 million KRW. (Details are subject to change based on festival circumstances.)

2. Copyright Sharing: Award-winning films must share certain copyrights with the festival. The specific scope (screening rights, distribution representation, secondary works, etc.) and methods will be finalized through prior consultation between the submitter and the festival.


6. Eligibility

1. Films must be produced after January 2025 (Production year must be marked as '2025' or '2026').

2. Running time must be at least 10 minutes (00:10:00), including credits.

3. No restrictions on theme, genre, or format.

4. No Premiere policy: Films can be submitted regardless of previous screenings at other festivals.


7. Submission Guidelines

1. Submission Period:
* Opening: January 15, 2026
* deadline: March 20, 2026

2. How to Apply: Submissions are only accepted through the festival's official online platform. Submissions via unauthorized methods or platforms will be considered invalid.

3. Required Files:
* Preview screening file (Under 5GB).
* 1 Director's photo, 3 Film stills, 1 Official poster.
* Accurate film info, director's bio, and awards history.
* The preview file must be identical to the screening version. Changes are not allowed after submission unless pre-approved.

4. Submission Fee: 50,000 KRW per entry. For international platforms, the fee can be paid in USD or EUR based on the current exchange rate.

5. Refund Policy: Once submission and payment are completed, the judging process begins immediately. Therefore, withdrawals are not possible, and fees are non-refundable.


8. Selection Process

1. Selection is the responsibility of the programming team and a separate preliminary jury.

2. Selected films will be announced on the website/SNS and notified individually 30 days before the festival starts.

3. Selected films cannot be withdrawn unilaterally by the submitter after the announcement.


9. Cancellation of Selection
Selection may be canceled if:

1. Provided information is found to be false.

2. A member of the production team is involved in criminal cases (sexual crimes, etc.) or violates public order and social norms (hate speech, violence, discrimination).


10. Screening Version (Final Print)

1. The final screening version must be submitted in DCP format. (Other formats require prior consultation).

2. Non-english dialogue films (including Korean) must have english subtitles.

3. The print must arrive at the office 20 days before the festival (Submitter covers shipping).

4. Physical prints will be returned within 4 weeks after the festival (Festival covers return shipping). Digital files will not be returned.


11. Use of Promotional Materials
The festival may use up to 30 seconds of the selected film's footage for promotional purposes (trailers, website, social media, etc.).


12. Archive
The festival aims to archive a copy of the selected films (DCP or digital) for future screenings, subject to consultation with the copyright holder. Archiving will not proceed without consent.


13. Post-Festival Screenings & Distribution

1. Selected/awarded films may be screened at domestic or international events hosted by the festival after the main event, following consultation and permission.

2. The festival may act as a distribution agent for the film online or via other media, subject to a separate distribution agreement.


14. Agreement
By registering film information and submitting a video on the online platform, the submitter is considered to have agreed to all the rules and regulations stated above.


15. Others

1. Submitters must resolve all copyright issues related to the screening. The festival is not liable for any copyright disputes.

2. The schedule and screening method may change due to force majeure.


16. Contact
Mokpo Theater Film Festival Office Email: mokpotheater@gmail.com