Jecheon International Music and Film Festival opens as the city turns into a celebration

The 22nd Jecheon International Music and Film Festival has opened in Jecheon, with the South Korean city turning itself into a festival venue through September 8.

The festival will present 189 films, including “Congo Boy,” a musical film directed by Rafiki Fariala. Organizers received 2,174 submissions from 115 countries, the highest number in the festival’s history.

Actors Ahn Jae-hong and Jang Hang-jun, the festival’s executive director, are among the figures attending. Fariala and Yuya Suzuki, director of “Jinsei,” are also expected in Jecheon.

The festival is expanding beyond its screening venues. Free public performances called “One Summer Dream” will be held, while Jecheon’s old downtown will host a craft beer and moonlight night market festival. On September 5, the Jecheon Cultural Tourism Foundation will present young artists under the theme “Connecting Through Youth Art.”