Master Class
A special program offering insights into the philosophy, worldview and creative process of master filmmakers who have redefined documentary cinema.
* Note: All program details, schedules, and guest attendance are subject to change. Interpretation will be provided only for events specifically marked as offering it.
Docu Talk
A series of conversations with filmmakers, critics, curators, and cultural practitioners on a wide range of topics and issues.
* Note: All program details, schedules, and guest attendance are subject to change. Interpretation will be provided only for events specifically marked as offering it.
* in Korean (no interpretation)
*Each Docu Talk session runs for 60 minutes following the film screening.
* in Korean (no interpretation)
*Each Docu Talk session runs for 60 minutes following the film screening.
*in Korean (no interpretation)
*Each Docu Talk session runs for 60 minutes following the film screening.
*in Korean (no interpretation)
*Each Docu Talk session runs for 90 minutes following the film screening.
*consecutive Korean–French interpretation
*Each Docu Talk session runs for 60 minutes following the film screening.
*in Korean (no interpretation)
*Each Docu Talk session runs for 120 minutes following the film screenin
*This is a roundtable Program Event without screenings. Free reservation is available.
* in Korean (no interpretation)
*Each Docu Talk session runs for 180 minutes following the film screening.
*This is a roundtable Program Event without screenings. Free reservation is available.
Club Cinema
Launched in 2025, Club Cinema is an event that combines screenings with critical dialogue, led by micro- and community-cinema organizers who enrich cinematic discourse through grassroots screenings, workshops, and discussions. The inaugural edition features three active groups: Seeds of East Asian Documentary (SEEAD), sorigrim, and Kinima.
* Note: All program details, schedules, and guest attendance are subject to change. Interpretation will be provided only for events specifically marked as offering it.
*Each Club Cinema session runs for 90 minutes following the film screening.
: Camera, Montage, and Me
*Each Club Cinema session runs for 90 minutes following the film screening.
In an era of contemporary documentary where even heterogeneous forms are absorbed into convention, can any genuine subversive potential remain? This session explores the disruptive possibilities of the form through the “montage of shedding” pursued in works such as Koki, Ciao and Daria’s Night Flowers.
*Each Club Cinema session runs for 90 minutes following the film screening.
Driven respectively by anxiety and discontent, these two documentaries seem to stand on opposite sides, even as they share the desire for novelty as a common legacy. What, then, makes them appear so different?
*Each Club Cinema session runs for 90 minutes following the film screening.
Opening Ceremony
The official opening event of the 17th DMZ Docs, attended by Korean and international documentary film professionals.
| Date | 9.11 (Thu) 19:00 * Opening ceremony is live streamed online |
|---|---|
| Location | Imjingak Pyeonghwa Nuri Park Outdoor Theater |
| Description |
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| Opening Film | Mr. Nobody Against Putin |
Closing Ceremony
The official closing event of the 17th DMZ Docs.
1. Closing Ceremony
| Date | 9.17 (Wed) 18:00 |
|---|---|
| Location | HANMAC Theater (Kintex Megabox 7) |
| Event Details |
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2. Closing Film Screening
| Date | 9.17 (Wed) 19:30 |
|---|---|
| Location | Kintex Megabox 6 |
| Event Details | Screening of the closing film |
| CLOSING FILM | ORWELL : 2+2 = 5 |
DMZ DOCS FORUM
In line with the 17th Festival’s slogan, “A Day We Dream of,” this year’s DMZ Docs Forum presents five compelling sessions. We bring together experts from diverse fields-from documentary production to academia-for a series of insightful discussions. Curated by professionals at the forefront of the documentary scene, from initial concept development to speaker selection, the DMZ Docs Forum is a vibrant platform for open dialogue. We invite creators and audiences alike to freely exchange ideas and participate in meaningful conversations.
* This forum is co-hosted with MediAct and is held as part of the Impact Cinema Forum.
Docu Concert
DOCUMENTARY X MUSIC
“DOCUMENTARY X MUSIC” is a cultural program held at Spectacular Musical Fountain of Goyang City’s Ilsan Lake Park during the 17th DMZ International Documentary Film Festival. The program features various events, such as free concerts for Gyeonggi-do residents and outdoor screening, to offer opportunities to enjoy documentaries in a new way and have a different experience from watching in theaters.
DAY 1 DOCUMENTARY X MUSIC
Miyazaki : Spirit of Nature
Leo Favier | 2025 | 86min
Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, My Neighbor Totoro, Princess Mononoke, Spirited Away… For over 50 years, master filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki depicted unknown worlds and reminded the forgotten relationship with nature with the magic of animation. Celebrating the 40th anniversary of Studio Ghibli, he asks a question to us, “So, how do you live?”
Jazz Band ㅣJazz Move
Jazz Move is a trio jazz band consists of Kwon Yejin (vocalist), Choi Sangdae (guitarist), and Kim Woojin (contrabassist). Their music naturally blends into your day like a gentle breeze. The band tells their own stories through rock ‘n’ roll-based jazz sound, a variety of pop songs, and film music that invite the audience to move along.
Jazz Band ㅣ Tune Around
Tune Around is a band that expresses everyday inspirations through pop jazz (contemporary jazz) with the motto, “art that everyone can relate to.” The band combines familiar and popular melodies with a spoonful of sophisticated jazz music.
9.13 (Sat) Schedule
| 18:00 ~ 18:30 | Performance 1 | Jazz Move (Jazz Band) |
| 18:30 ~ 19:00 | Performance 2 | Tune Around (Jazz Band) |
| 19:00 ~ 20:00 | Spectacular Musical Fountain, Ilsan Lake Park | Fountain Show |
| 20:00 ~ 21:26 | Outdoor Screening | Screening Film Miyazaki : Spirit of Nature |
DAY 2 DOCUMENTARY X MUSIC
We Want The Funk!
Stanley Nelson, Nicole London | 2025 | 85min
The film traces the voyage of funk music spanning from African, soul, and early jazz roots, to its rise into the public consciousness. Featuring James Brown’s dynamism, the extraterrestrial funk of George Clinton’s Parliament Funkadelic, transformed girl group Labelle, and Fela Kuti's Afrobeat, the story also traces funk's influences on both new wave and hip-hop and explores the historic and cultural trajectory of funk that has continuously transformed and converged.
Indie Band / Lee Sangwoong
Singer-songwriter Lee Sangwoong sings about everyday life and connects with his audience through folk, rock, and alternative rock blending lyrics with Korean sentiment and the powerful band sound. His goal is to create fun and heartwarming performances - sometimes with acoustic guitar-based soft and warm sounds and lyrics and at other times with powerful sounds and explosive vocals.
Funk Band / Shell We Funk
Shellwe Funk is a funk band that dominates the stage with overwhelming energy. The band consists of three members, including Park Sangho (pianist, vocalist), Kim Taegang (drummer, vocalist), and Kim Hyunwoo (bassist). The band rearrange Korean pop songs and international pop hits in their own unique style to create interactive performances that everyone can enjoy together. With experience performing 600 times, they show amazing performances.
9.14 (Sun) Schedule
| 18:00 ~ 18:30 | Performance 1 | Lee Sangwoong (Indie Band) |
| 18:30 ~ 19:00 | Performance 2 | Shell We Funk (Funk Band) |
| 19:00 ~ 20:00 | Spectacular Musical Fountain, Ilsan Lake Park | Fountain Show |
| 20:00 ~ 21:21 | Outdoor Screening | Screening Film We Want The Funk! |
DOCUMENTARY X TALK
The 17th DMZ International Documentary Film Festival provides high-quality cultural and artistic experiences for documentary creators and audience. “DOCUMENTARY X TALK” is a program featuring documentary, music, and talk in a talk concert format focusing on communication with the audience.
DAY 1 DOCUMENTARY & TALK
Efterskole, Going to the Wonderland Korea
Yang Jihye | 2024 | 75min
South Korea is a “Wonderland” where most people rush towards their goal without looking back. But there are brave “Alices” who have chosen a different path. These students who suffered from academic pressure, conflicts with their parents, and struggles in friendship step out of their confined classroom and spend a year of looking after and exploring themselves. “I want to be happy right now, not in the future!” Discover what awaits these “Alices” in their journey to freedom.
Acoustic Band / OHAH Band
OHAH Band is like human vitamins depicting youth through melodies. Challenges and failures, excitement and fear, joy and sadness - emotions that everyone has experienced - are transformed into music to comfort people and deliver positive energy.
9.12 (Fri) Schedule
| 18:00 ~ 18:30 | Concert Program | OHAH Band (Acoustic Band) |
| 18:30 ~ 19:45 | Outdoor Screening | Screening Film Efterskole, Going to the Wonderland Korea |
DAY 2 DOCUMENTARY & TALK
DAY 2 _ 상영작
Instruments of a Beating Heart
Ema Ryan Yamazaki | 2024 | 23min
The documentary follows Ayame, a soon to be second grade school girl eager to participate in a group performance of Beethoven's "Ode to Joy" to welcome new first graders. Encouraged by the teacher to think beyond herself, Ayame wins the cymbal role in the audition. However, a lack of dedication to her task leads to mistakes during rehearsals, prompting the teacher to emphasize the importance of harmony and diligence. Following a reprimand during practice, Ayame loses confidence. Classmates and teachers offer encouragement and support, leading her to rejoin the group and become a part of its eventual success.
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Folk Singer / Kwon Tree
He wants to be fully a musician on stage and fully a teacher in the classroom. As a lover of both music and teaching, he accepts the fate of having to struggle twice as hard. He dreams of harmony between the two sides within himself, wishing to sing as he lives and live as he sings.
9.13 (Sat) Schedule
| 18:00 ~ 18:23 | Outdoor Screening | Screening Film Instruments of a Beating Heart |
| 18:30 ~ 19:30 | Talk & Concert Program | Kwon Tree (Folk Singer) |
DAY 3 DOCUMENTARY & TALK
Jazz On A Summer’s Day
Aram Avakian, Bert Stern | 2022 | 82min
On a sunny summer day, people arrive in Newport, welcomed by the romantic summer sea and the sweet jazz melodies. As the sun sets, the greatest jazz festival in history - featuring musicians such as Louis Armstrong, Mahalia Jackson, Thelonious Monk, Chuck Berry, and Anita O'Day - begins!
Jazz Interpreter / Kim Ari
Jazz docent, Kim Ari, founder of the jazz content production company ARTLET and widely loved for her diverse jazz content, will provide commentary and host the event. For performance, Kang Seunghun, who is active in the jazz scene, will be performing as part of a trio.
Kang Seunghun Trio
Jazz docent, Kim Ari, founder of the jazz content production company ARTLET and widely loved for her diverse jazz content, will provide commentary and host the event. For performance, Kang Seunghun, who is active in the jazz scene, will be performing as part of a trio.
9.14 (Sun) Schedule
| 18:00 ~ 19:22 | Outdoor Screening | Screening Film Jazz On A Summer’s Day |
| 19:30 ~ 20:00 | Talk & Concert Program | Kim Ari (Jazz Docent), Jazz Concert |
DMZ다큐로드
2025 DMZ DocuRoad
The 2025 DMZ Docu-Road is a hands-on program designed to explore the historical and ecological value of Korea’s border region. By experiencing the DMZ sites in person, participants will gain new perspectives on the meaning of peace and unification on the Korean Peninsula.
| DATE | September 12 (Fri) - September 16 (Tue), 2025 |
|---|---|
| Program | History “Crossing” (Paju) · Sept. 12, 13, 14, 16 Nature “Reaching” (Gimpo) · Sept. 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 |
| Application Period | Aug 11 (Mon), 2025, 10:00 AM - Aug 29 (Fri), 2025, 5:00 PM |
| Participation Fee | 10,000KRW / One ticket per person (non-transferable) |
관객이벤트
Photo Booth - A Day You Want to Remember
| Location | Lakins Mall 1F Lobby |
|---|---|
| Operating Period | 9.12(Fri) - 9.16(Tue) 10:00 - 20:00 9.17(Wed) 10:00-14:00 |
| Location | CGV Paju Yadang Lobby |
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| Operating Period | 9.12(Fri) - 9.16(Tue) 10:00 - 20:00 |
Lucky Draw - Win Your Wish
| Location | Megabox Kintex Lobby |
|---|---|
| Operating Period | 9.12(Fri) - 9.16(Tue) 10:00 - 20:00 9.17(Wed) 10:00-14:00 |
| Location | CGV Paju Yadang Lobby |
|---|---|
| Operating Period | 9.12(Fri) - 9.16(Tue) 10:00 - 20:00 |
HAPPY HANMAC HOUR
The DMZ International Documentary Film Festival will host a networking event “HAPPY HANMAC HOUR” for its audience and guests. “HAPPY HANMAC HOUR” will be held for five days during the film festival, and it offers beer and light refreshments by the film festival sponsor, HANMAC, to create a gathering space for the audience and guests.
| Location | Megabox Kintex Guest Lounge |
|---|---|
| Operating Period | 9.12(Fri) - 9.16(Tue) 18:00 - 20:00 |
※Only badge holders and same-day ticket holders can attend. Minors are not allowed.
38-Second Documentary Contest
The 38-Second Documentary Contest aims to shift public perceptions of documentaries and foster bonds that transcend generations through video production. As an extension of the 17th DMZ International Documentary Film Festival’s slogan, “A Day We Want to Live,” the contest invites anyone interested in documentaries to create a short film under the theme “My Perfect Day,” with a duration of 38 seconds (up to 60 seconds). Screenings and an awards ceremony will be held during the 17th DMZ International Documentary Film Festival.
Award Ceremony
| DATE | September 14, 2025 (Sun) |
|---|---|
| VENUE | Megabox KINTEX |