Laughter matters in upcoming 26th Seoul International Women's Film Festival

The Seoul International Women’s Film Festival (Siwff) is set to kick off on Aug. 22 with its weeklong journey, its organizer said Tuesday.

A poster for the 26th Seoul International Women's Film Festival [SIWFF]

The Seoul International Women’s Film Festival (Siwff) is set to kick off on Aug. 22 with its weeklong journey, its organizer said Tuesday.

Siwff, first started in 1997, is a festival aiming to introduce various woman's films and provide a space for women to share their stories, spreading gender equality and supporting women filmmakers all around the world.

This year, Siwff marks its 26th edition under the slogan “Laugh matters.”

The slogan encapsulates the festival’s goal of paying attention to the various powers of laughter and cheering on those who persistently go forward alongside the powers in their life, the organizer said in a press release.

The festival also revealed this year’s poster, designed by Jung Yu-mi of Stuckyi Studio, a design group that participated in creating Korea’s online queer parade website.

“When I came across this year's slogan, ‘Laugh matters,’ moments when I've smiled to fit others' expectations or please them as a woman came to mind,” Jung said about her poster. “I also thought the moments of comfortably sitting and chatting with someone I felt safe with, free from expectations and social pressure.

“Through the festival, I hope that more moments will be created where we can talk to each other comfortably in a safe environment, adding more moments filled with laughter.”

The festival will be held at multiple places at CGV Yeonnam, CGV Hongdae and Cinecube Gwanghwamun.

More information about the festival will be available on its website.

BY KIM JI-YE [kim.jiye@joongang.co.kr]