22nd JIMFF: The Loneliest Man in Town Wins Best Music Film; KIM
https://jimff.org/eng/artyboard/mboard.asp?Action=view&strBoardID=FBVZ_X12D&intCategory=&strSearchWord=&intPage=1&intSeq=5677 The 22nd Jecheon International Music & Film Festival Announces Grand Prize Winners The Loneliest Man in Town Wins International Music Film Competition Best Music Film Award; Irkalla: Gilgamesh’s Dream Takes International Competition Best Film Award HI-FIVE Music Director KIM Junseok Wins Music InSight Grand Prize Water Deer Music Director CHO Eun Wins New Talent SHOWBOX Award; After Submersion Music Director CHOI Sori Receives Jury Special Mention Irkalla: Gilgamesh’s Dream Screens as Closing Film, Concluding Six-Day Festival Three Projects Selected for JIMFF Music Film Market Post-production Support and Two for Short Film Production Support ▲ Winners, nominees, and presenters from the competition sections gather onstage at the closing ceremony of the 22nd Jecheon International Music & Film Festival. The 22nd Jecheon International Music & Film Festival (JIMFF), led by Festival Director CHANG Hang-jun, concluded its six-day run with a closing ceremony at the Jecheon Arts Center at 18:00 on Sep 8. During the ceremony, the festival announced the winning films and artists across its competition sections. Hosted by broadcaster SONG Eun-i and actor HAN Yeri, the ceremony opened with a performance and continued with a festival report, the completion ceremony for the 21st Jecheon Film Music Academy, the 2026 JIMFF Music Film Market awards, the competition awards, an introduction to the closing film, and the closing declaration. Winners were announced across the International Music Film Competition and International Competition, as well as Music InSight, a competition for music directors of Korean feature films, and New Talent, a competition for emerging film composers. The Best Music Film Award Goes to The Loneliest Man in Town in the International Music Film Competition, and the Best Film Award Goes to Irkalla: Gilgamesh’s Dream in the International Competition. ▲ Directors Tizza COVI and Rainer FRIMMEL of The Loneliest Man in Town, winner of the International Music Film Competition Best Music Film Award The International Music Film Competition Best Music Film Award went to The Loneliest Man in Town, directed by Tizza COVI and Rainer FRIMMEL. The jury described the film as “a poignant, warm, and restrained work about one man’s unwavering determination to hold on to dreams, hopes, modernity, and a world destined to disappear.” The directors received a trophy and a cash prize of KRW 15 million. Rainer FRIMMEL said, “Two unexpected things happened to me in Jecheon. One was receiving this award, and the other was hearing the best rendition of ‘My Way’ since Frank Sinatra,” expressing how deeply moved he was by tenor CHOI Seungwon’s performance of the song during the opening performance. ▲ Producer Ali AL-DARADJI of Irkalla: Gilgamesh’s Dream, winner of the International Competition Best Film Award The International Competition Best Film Award was awarded to Irkalla: Gilgamesh’s Dream, directed by Mohamed AL-DARADJI. The jury unanimously selected the film, describing it as “a work that contemplates life at the closest point to death and asks what must be protected until the very end for us to remain human.” The film received a trophy and a cash prize of KRW 10 million. Irkalla: Gilgamesh’s Dream was also presented as this year’s closing film. Accepting the award on behalf of the director, producer Ali AL-DARADJI said, “The director and I discussed in advance what we would say if the film happened to receive an award. The message we wanted to share is that we dedicate this film to those who have lost their lives to war and to all the children of the world.” HI-FIVE Music Director KIM Junseok Wins Music InSight Grand Prize Water Deer Music Director CHO Eun Wins New Talent SHOWBOX Award ▲ HI-FIVE Music Director KIM Junseok, winner of the Music InSight Grand Prize for Korean feature film music directors The Music InSight Grand Prize, presented in the competition for music directors of Korean feature films, went to KIM Junseok for his work on director KANG Hyoungchul’s HI-FIVE. The jury praised the score for allowing beats and rhythms to propel the film, while its music and songs build an imaginative world and bring out the individuality and appeal of each character. KIM received a trophy and a cash prize of KRW 15 million. “I would like to thank my mother and eldest sister, who are here with me today,” KIM said. “I am grateful and happy that HI-FIVE was released, reached audiences, and has now received this award.” ▲ Water Deer Music Director CHO Eun, winner of the New Talent SHOWBOX Award The New Talent SHOWBOX Award, a competitive section dedicated to emerging film composers, went to CHO Eun for her work on YU Soyoung’s documentary Water Deer. The jury commended her bold decision to hold back the music even in moments when it might have seemed necessary, as well as the score’s ability to remain closely attuned to the story and its characters while maintaining an emotional balance throughout the feature-length film. CHO received a trophy and a cash prize of KRW 10 million. “Jecheon has held a special place in my heart ever since I first came here as a student of the Jecheon International Music & Film Academy. I have returned every year since,” CHO said. “I see this award as a message of encouragement and support for emerging film music directors, and I will continue to grow as a film music director.” The Jury Special Mention went to music director CHOI Sori for director PARK Jeongsu’s short film After Submersion. The jury highlighted the score’s creativity and freshness, noting how it draws naturally on traditional musical language and established rhythmic patterns and integrates them closely into the narrative. JIMFF Music Film Market Selects Projects for Post-production Support and Short Film Production Support, Bringing Film Projects and Film Composers into Direct Collaboration ▲ From left: Jury member LEE Juno; director KIM Byoungsoo, film composer HAN Minhee, and producer KIM Kyunghee of The Best Days; producer LEE Junsang, director CHOI Yoonseo, and film composer KWON Suhyun of Take It; and director LEE Seokyeong and film composer KIM Soojeong of Dried Persimmon,selected for Post-production Support at the 2026 JIMFF Music Film Market The JIMFF Music Film Market selected three projects for Post-production Support and two for Short Film Production Support, bringing film projects and film composers together to foster direct creative collaboration. In the feature category of Post-production Support, director KIM Byoungsoo and producer KIM Kyunghee of The Best Days were matched with film composer HAN Minhee. The team will receive KRW 8 million in post-production funding. In the short film category, director CHOI Yoonseo and producer LEE Junsang of Take It were matched with film composer KWON Suhyun, while director LEE Seokyeong and producer CHOI Jooyoung of Dried Persimmon were matched with film composer KIM Soojeong. Each team will receive KRW 1 million in post-production funding. KIM Byoungsoo, director of The Best Days, said, “I was deeply moved that five film composers each found inspiration in my film and created music for it. I would like to reconnect with the composers I was not matched with and explore opportunities to work together in the future.” Film composer HAN Minhee added, “The Best Days brought me comfort and made me want more people to see it. I feel a responsibility that is both weighty and rewarding, and I will do my utmost to complete the work.” The director, producer, and film composer of the short film Take It also took the stage to celebrate their selection. “We will work hard to live up to the expectations placed in us and complete the project as a strong film,” they said, expressing their gratitude. KIM Soojeong, film composer of the short film Dried Persimmon, said, “This is my first time in Jecheon, and I am grateful to have received such wonderful news. I would also like to thank all the staff members who have worked with us.” Director LEE Seokyeong added, “Thank you for giving us this wonderful opportunity. We will give the project our very best through to completion.” ▲ Director GO Yoonhee of Stamp and director LEE Yoon of Tune out (working title), selected for Short Film Production Support at the 2026 JIMFF Music Film Market In the Short Film Production Support category, which returned this year, Stamp, directed by GO Yoonhee and PARK Geunwoo, and Tune out (working title), directed by LEE Yoon, were selected to receive production grants of KRW 10 million and KRW 5 million, respectively. The jury praised the two projects for demonstrating distinct possibilities for the role music can play in film: Stamp confronts the pain of its era and questions that remain unresolved, while the animated film Tune out (working title) draws on reality to unfold an abstract musical world. The jury also noted that both projects display a distinctive approach not only in their cinematic meaning and value but also in their use of music. GO Yoonhee, director of Stamp, said, “I had not expected much, so I was already delighted when the project made it through the preliminary round. Thank you. I hope to return to the festival next year with a good film.” LEE Yoon, director of Tune out (working title), said, “This result was entirely unexpected. I will work hard to complete the film and present it in its best form.” During the festival, the JIMFF Music Film Market hosted one-on-one business meetings between project teams and film composers, along with public pitching sessions in which composers presented their musical concepts and proposed directions for each project. These programs provided a platform for the encounters to develop into actual creative collaborations. ▲ Closing ceremony hosts SONG Eun-i and HAN Yeri at the 22nd Jecheon International Music & Film Festival A 2026 highlights video featuring key moments from the festival was screened, looking back on its six-day journey. Chairperson of the Board LEE Sangcheon and Festival Director CHANG Hang-jun expressed their gratitude to the citizens and audiences who joined the festival, as well as to filmmakers and staff from Korea and abroad. ▲ Chairperson of the Board LEE Sangcheon and Festival Director CHANG Hang-jun at the 22nd Jecheon International Music & Film Festival The 22nd Jecheon International Music & Film Festival took place across Jecheon from Sep 3 to 8. This year’s festival presented 189 films from 51 countries and performances by 37 teams, alongside a wide-ranging program of film screenings, performances, talks, exhibitions, the Jecheon Film Music Academy, and the JIMFF Music Film Market.

22nd JIMFF: The Loneliest Man in Town Wins Best Music Film; KIM

2026/09/11 17:12

https://jimff.org/eng/artyboard/mboard.asp?Action=view&strBoardID=FBVZ_X12D&intCategory=&strSearchWord=&intPage=1&intSeq=5677

The 22nd Jecheon International Music
& Film Festival
Announces Grand Prize Winners
The Loneliest Man in Town Wins International Music Film Competition Best Music Film Award;
Irkalla: Gilgamesh’s Dream Takes International Competition Best Film Award
HI-FIVE Music Director KIM Junseok Wins
Music InSight Grand Prize

Water Deer Music Director CHO Eun Wins
New Talent SHOWBOX Award;
After Submersion Music Director CHOI Sori Receives
Jury Special Mention
Irkalla: Gilgamesh’s Dream Screens as Closing Film,
Concluding Six-Day Festival
Three Projects Selected for JIMFF Music Film Market
Post-production Support
and Two for Short Film Production Support

▲ Winners, nominees, and presenters from the competition sections gather onstage
at the closing ceremony of the 22nd Jecheon International Music & Film Festival.

The 22nd Jecheon International Music & Film Festival (JIMFF), led by Festival Director CHANG Hang-jun, concluded its six-day run with a closing ceremony at the Jecheon Arts Center at 18:00 on Sep 8. During the ceremony, the festival announced the winning films and artists across its competition sections.

Hosted by broadcaster SONG Eun-i and actor HAN Yeri, the ceremony opened with a performance and continued with a festival report, the completion ceremony for the 21st Jecheon Film Music Academy, the 2026 JIMFF Music Film Market awards, the competition awards, an introduction to the closing film, and the closing declaration. Winners were announced across the International Music Film Competition and International Competition, as well as Music InSight, a competition for music directors of Korean feature films, and New Talent, a competition for emerging film composers.

The Best Music Film Award Goes to The Loneliest Man in Town in the International Music Film Competition, and the Best Film Award Goes to Irkalla: Gilgamesh’s Dream in the International Competition.

▲ Directors Tizza COVI and Rainer FRIMMEL of The Loneliest Man in Town,
winner of the International Music Film Competition Best Music Film Award

The International Music Film Competition Best Music Film Award went to The Loneliest Man in Town, directed by Tizza COVI and Rainer FRIMMEL. The jury described the film as “a poignant, warm, and restrained work about one man’s unwavering determination to hold on to dreams, hopes, modernity, and a world destined to disappear.” The directors received a trophy and a cash prize of KRW 15 million.

Rainer FRIMMEL said, “Two unexpected things happened to me in Jecheon. One was receiving this award, and the other was hearing the best rendition of ‘My Way’ since Frank Sinatra,” expressing how deeply moved he was by tenor CHOI Seungwon’s performance of the song during the opening performance.

▲ Producer Ali AL-DARADJI of Irkalla: Gilgamesh’s Dream,
winner of the International Competition Best Film Award

The International Competition Best Film Award was awarded to Irkalla: Gilgamesh’s Dream, directed by Mohamed AL-DARADJI. The jury unanimously selected the film, describing it as “a work that contemplates life at the closest point to death and asks what must be protected until the very end for us to remain human.” The film received a trophy and a cash prize of KRW 10 million. Irkalla: Gilgamesh’s Dream was also presented as this year’s closing film.

Accepting the award on behalf of the director, producer Ali AL-DARADJI said, “The director and I discussed in advance what we would say if the film happened to receive an award. The message we wanted to share is that we dedicate this film to those who have lost their lives to war and to all the children of the world.”

HI-FIVE Music Director KIM Junseok Wins Music InSight Grand Prize
Water Deer Music Director CHO Eun Wins New Talent SHOWBOX Award

▲ HI-FIVE Music Director KIM Junseok, winner of the Music InSight Grand Prize for
Korean feature film music directors

The Music InSight Grand Prize, presented in the competition for music directors of Korean feature films, went to KIM Junseok for his work on director KANG Hyoungchul’s HI-FIVE. The jury praised the score for allowing beats and rhythms to propel the film, while its music and songs build an imaginative world and bring out the individuality and appeal of each character. KIM received a trophy and a cash prize of KRW 15 million.

“I would like to thank my mother and eldest sister, who are here with me today,” KIM said. “I am grateful and happy that HI-FIVE was released, reached audiences, and has now received this award.”

▲ Water Deer Music Director CHO Eun, winner of the New Talent SHOWBOX Award

The New Talent SHOWBOX Award, a competitive section dedicated to emerging film composers, went to CHO Eun for her work on YU Soyoung’s documentary Water Deer. The jury commended her bold decision to hold back the music even in moments when it might have seemed necessary, as well as the score’s ability to remain closely attuned to the story and its characters while maintaining an emotional balance throughout the feature-length film. CHO received a trophy and a cash prize of KRW 10 million.

“Jecheon has held a special place in my heart ever since I first came here as a student of the Jecheon International Music & Film Academy. I have returned every year since,” CHO said. “I see this award as a message of encouragement and support for emerging film music directors, and I will continue to grow as a film music director.”

The Jury Special Mention went to music director CHOI Sori for director PARK Jeongsu’s short film After Submersion. The jury highlighted the score’s creativity and freshness, noting how it draws naturally on traditional musical language and established rhythmic patterns and integrates them closely into the narrative.

JIMFF Music Film Market Selects Projects for Post-production Support and Short Film Production Support, Bringing Film Projects and Film Composers into Direct Collaboration

▲ From left: Jury member LEE Juno; director KIM Byoungsoo, film composer HAN Minhee, and producer KIM Kyunghee of The Best Days; producer LEE Junsang, director CHOI Yoonseo, and film composer KWON Suhyun of Take It; and director LEE Seokyeong
and film composer KIM Soojeong of Dried Persimmon,selected for Post-production Support at the 2026 JIMFF Music Film Market

The JIMFF Music Film Market selected three projects for Post-production Support and two for Short Film Production Support, bringing film projects and film composers together to foster direct creative collaboration.

In the feature category of Post-production Support, director KIM Byoungsoo and producer KIM Kyunghee of The Best Days were matched with film composer HAN Minhee. The team will receive KRW 8 million in post-production funding. In the short film category, director CHOI Yoonseo and producer LEE Junsang of Take It were matched with film composer KWON Suhyun, while director LEE Seokyeong and producer CHOI Jooyoung of Dried Persimmon were matched with film composer KIM Soojeong. Each team will receive KRW 1 million in post-production funding.

KIM Byoungsoo, director of The Best Days, said, “I was deeply moved that five film composers each found inspiration in my film and created music for it. I would like to reconnect with the composers I was not matched with and explore opportunities to work together in the future.”

Film composer HAN Minhee added, “The Best Days brought me comfort and made me want more people to see it. I feel a responsibility that is both weighty and rewarding, and I will do my utmost to complete the work.”

The director, producer, and film composer of the short film Take It also took the stage to celebrate their selection. “We will work hard to live up to the expectations placed in us and complete the project as a strong film,” they said, expressing their gratitude.

KIM Soojeong, film composer of the short film Dried Persimmon, said, “This is my first time in Jecheon, and I am grateful to have received such wonderful news. I would also like to thank all the staff members who have worked with us.”

Director LEE Seokyeong added, “Thank you for giving us this wonderful opportunity. We will give the project our very best through to completion.”

▲ Director GO Yoonhee of Stamp and director LEE Yoon of Tune out (working title),
selected for Short Film Production Support at the 2026 JIMFF Music Film Market

In the Short Film Production Support category, which returned this year, Stamp, directed by GO Yoonhee and PARK Geunwoo, and Tune out (working title), directed by LEE Yoon, were selected to receive production grants of KRW 10 million and KRW 5 million, respectively.

The jury praised the two projects for demonstrating distinct possibilities for the role music can play in film: Stamp confronts the pain of its era and questions that remain unresolved, while the animated film Tune out (working title) draws on reality to unfold an abstract musical world. The jury also noted that both projects display a distinctive approach not only in their cinematic meaning and value but also in their use of music.

GO Yoonhee, director of Stamp, said, “I had not expected much, so I was already delighted when the project made it through the preliminary round. Thank you. I hope to return to the festival next year with a good film.”

LEE Yoon, director of Tune out (working title), said, “This result was entirely unexpected. I will work hard to complete the film and present it in its best form.”

During the festival, the JIMFF Music Film Market hosted one-on-one business meetings between project teams and film composers, along with public pitching sessions in which composers presented their musical concepts and proposed directions for each project. These programs provided a platform for the encounters to develop into actual creative collaborations.

▲ Closing ceremony hosts SONG Eun-i and HAN Yeri
at the 22nd Jecheon International Music & Film Festival

A 2026 highlights video featuring key moments from the festival was screened, looking back on its six-day journey. Chairperson of the Board LEE Sangcheon and Festival Director CHANG Hang-jun expressed their gratitude to the citizens and audiences who joined the festival, as well as to filmmakers and staff from Korea and abroad.

▲ Chairperson of the Board LEE Sangcheon and Festival Director CHANG Hang-jun
at the 22nd Jecheon International Music & Film Festival

The 22nd Jecheon International Music & Film Festival took place across Jecheon from Sep 3 to 8. This year’s festival presented 189 films from 51 countries and performances by 37 teams, alongside a wide-ranging program of film screenings, performances, talks, exhibitions, the Jecheon Film Music Academy, and the JIMFF Music Film Market.

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