[News Culture] Korean independent filmmakers are reaching new audiences overseas through a collaboration involving the Korea Creative Content Agency (KOCCA) and Netflix. Their latest initiative brought award-winning short films to New York, connecting emerging Korean directors with international viewers and film industry professionals.
KOCCA announced on November 3 that its New York Business Center had supported screenings and industry networking events at the inaugural New York Korean Independent Film Festival, organized by the Korean Cultural Center New York.
Held from October 15 to 25 at the Korean Cultural Center New York, the festival presented 15 films, six of which received screening support from KOCCA. The initiative aimed to address one of the persistent challenges facing independent filmmakers in Korea: limited access to international distribution networks and overseas audiences.
The centerpiece of KOCCA's participation was a special screening of five award-winning shorts from the 22nd Mise-en-scène Short Film Festival. Organized by the filmmakers' association Next Directors, with Netflix serving as its main sponsor, the festival has become an important showcase for emerging Korean directors. The New York program extended that exposure beyond Korea through KOCCA's overseas network.
On October 17, the 150-seat theater hosted screenings of My Aunt, Wrong Aim, Mixedup Shaman, Noise Cancellation and After Submersion. All five films are also available on Netflix, giving audiences an additional way to discover the work of emerging Korean filmmakers.
KOCCA also supported a separate screening of director Kim Myun-woo's documentary Karma and co-organized networking events with members of the local film industry. Together, the programs offered filmmakers opportunities to engage with audiences, discuss their work and make professional connections outside Korea.
The collaboration also highlighted how streaming services can help independent films reach audiences beyond the traditional festival circuit. Jang Young-yeop, the operating director of the Mise-en-scène Short Film Festival, pointed to a 97% seat occupancy rate at in-person screenings as evidence that online exposure can complement theatrical presentations.
Director Son Gwang-min, who co-directed My Aunt, described a similar change in audience response. While one of his earlier short films received only 15 online comments, My Aunt attracted more than 1,000, generating feedback from viewers and industry professionals who had discovered the film through Netflix.
The response illustrates the potential benefits of linking domestic film festivals, streaming distribution and international screenings. For emerging filmmakers, these connections can extend a film's visibility beyond its initial festival run and create opportunities for future projects.
"Introducing Korean independent films to audiences in New York is particularly meaningful because overseas screening opportunities remain limited," said Lee Yang-hwan, head of KOCCA's New York Business Center. "We were also able to create opportunities for filmmakers and audiences to communicate directly. We will continue working to expand international access for outstanding Korean screen content."
The New York initiative forms part of a broader collaboration between KOCCA and Netflix that extends beyond film distribution. Following a memorandum of understanding signed in 2023, the two organizations have continued working together on professional training programs, including the Production Academy, which provides industry-focused instruction in post-production techniques and other aspects of screen content creation.
The academy has provided training opportunities to more than 1,000 emerging creators and production professionals, drawing on the expertise and production standards of the global streaming industry.
By connecting talent development, domestic film festivals and overseas exhibition opportunities, KOCCA and Netflix are working to give Korean filmmakers more ways to develop their careers and reach international audiences.
Reported by News Culture M.J._mj94070777@nc.press
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