OKFF History

2018.09.17-20

The 1st OKFF

From September 17 to 20, 2018, the Korean Cultural Centre (KCC) hosted the 1st Ottawa Korean Film Festival (OKFF) with support from the Korean Film Council (KOFIC). The OKFF opened at the Alma Duncan Salon of the Ottawa Art Gallery with the film <I Can Speak> (2017, KIM, Hyeon Seok), introduced by Director Kim who attended the film festival film. Under the theme of ‘Unshakable Story’, the OKFF screened five films that celebrated the unwavering and powerful human spirit, attended by 900 K-Cinema fans in the national capital region.

2019.10.15-24

Family, where story begins

The 2nd Ottawa Korean Film Festival began its 10-day festival on Tuesday, October 15, 2019, until Thursday, October 24. Co-presented by the KCC and the DMZ International Documentary Film Festival in Korea, and with the support of KOFIC, the 2nd OKFF hosted an outstanding lineup of films for fans of all ages and cinematic styles. Despite the wide range of genres, all the films chosen for this year’s OKFF shared a common theme under the slogan ‘Family, where story begins.’ Nine films were screened at the 2nd OKFF throughout multiple venues in Ottawa, including five fiction films and four award-winning documentary films presented by the DMZ International Documentary Film Festival.

2020.10.02-10.10

The World Created by Cinema

On the occasion of 2020 Korea Week, the KCC hosted the 3rd OKFF, which took place online from Friday, October 2, to Saturday, October 10, 2020. Usually, the OKFF takes place in cinemas in Ottawa, but in 2020, the festival took place entirely online due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The year’s selection of Korean films was available for streaming across Canada in the safety and comfort of homes. The theme of the 3rd OKFF was ‘The World Created by Cinema,’ which showcased a selection of four films that represent the unlimited boundaries of the imaginary world created by cinema, such as animation and fantasy.

2021.09.20-10.13

You are invited to: Cities of Korea

The 4th OKFF showcased diverse films and works by media artists featuring various images of cities across Korea, including Gwangju, Gokseong, Taebaek, Miryang, Jeju, and Gyeongju. Canadian audiences were invited to experience these cities virtually during restricted travel and closures due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all in the comfort of their homes. At the opening of the OKFF, three great films, <A Taxi Driver> (2017, JANG, Hun), <The Wailing> (2016, NA, Hong Jin), and <The Hill of Wind> (2020, PARK, Sukyoung) was presented from September 20 to 30, 2021. In addition, <Secret Sunshine> (2007, LEE Chang-dong), <Moonfishing in Aewol> (2019, PAK, Cheol-u), and <Gyeongju> (2013, ZHANG Lu) were screened from October 1 to 13. Furthermore, the 4th festival introduced contemporary artists’ video works. Collaborating with the Total Museum of Contemporary Art in South Korea, the OKFF featured artists’ video works that depict urban structures and stories of the people living in cities. In addition, there was a series of interview videos of participating artists and a curator talk.

2021.09.27-10.10

Music & Dance

The KCC is pleased to host the 5th Ottawa Korean Film Festival(OKFF), which will take place in-person and online this year from Tuesday, September 27 to Monday, October 10, offering Canadians an unparalleled opportunity to enjoy the best Korean films. This year’s theme is Music & Dance! The OKFF will introduce diverse independent and short films that were not easily accessible to Canadian audiences. Various films will be showcased in-person from Tuesday, September 27 to Sunday, October 2 at the Korean Cultural Centre and ByTowne Cinema, and online from Saturday, October 1 to Monday, October 10. The KCC hosted the 5th OKFF, both in-person and online, from Tuesday, September 27 to Monday, October 10, 2022. The festival offered Canadians an unparalleled opportunity to enjoy the best Korean films under the theme of ‘Music & Dance.’ The OKFF introduced diverse independent and short films that were not easily accessible to Canadian audiences. Various films were showcased in-person from Tuesday, September 27 to Sunday, October 2 at the KCC and at ByTowne Cinema, and online from Saturday, October 1 to Monday, October 10.

2023.09.26-10.08

Here's
Your K-Cinema!

The KCC presented the 6th OKFF from Tuesday, September 26, to Sunday, October 8, 2023. The year also marked the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Canada and the Republic of Korea. To celebrate this significant milestone, the 6th OKFF featured many dynamic Korean films, including selections by Canadian film directors, both in-person and online.