Participants attend the Korea-Laos Short Film Screening and Award Ceremony at the National School of Fine Arts to mark the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Laos and the Republic of Korea.

Korea–Laos Short Film Contest marks 30 years of ties

The Korea-Laos Short Film Contest brought young creators together on Wednesday to mark the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Republic of Korea and Laos.
The competition awards ceremony took place at the National Institute of Fine Arts, a part of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. The ceremony was led by the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Laos, Mr Jung Yung-soo, and Director General of the Heritage Department, Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Mr Phakhanxay Sikhanxay. Filmmakers, teachers and students were also present.

Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Laos, Mr Jung Yung-soo.

More than 30 short films were submitted to the contest under the theme “Korea and Laos: Friendship, Exchange and the Future”, reflecting stories about youth, culture, family, food, modernity and shared hopes between the two nations.
The contest was organised to foster cultural learning and to inspire young Lao creators who are interested in Korean culture, film production and global storytelling.
Nine films were selected for the final screening after evaluation by a committee based on content, structure, cinematography, sound and editing.
The shortlist included The Last Light, Exeunt, Fly From Seoul, Laab in Two Languages, Little Letter, The Smell of Love, Flower, Fly High Nanda and Meeting Tomorrow.
Little Letter, directed by Ms Latdavanh Thongphanti from Luang Prabang city, won first prize. Meeting Tomorrow by Mr Thongsouk, also from Luang Prabang, took second prize. Third prize went to Laab in Two Languages and The Last Light.
Little Letter also won the Best Production Process Award and the popular vote Award after receiving strong support from students.
Speaking at the event, Ambassador Jung Yung-soo said this year holds special meaning for Laos as it marks the 50th anniversary of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, the 70th anniversary of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party, and the 105th anniversary of the birth of President Kaysone Phomvihane.
The year 2025 is also significant for Korea-Laos relations as it marks three decades since the restoration of diplomatic ties.
To honour this milestone, the embassy and the Ministry of Culture and Tourism organised a range of cultural activities, including Korea Week in June and a joint exhibition of Korean Jikji and Lao palm leaf manuscripts in September.
“If the Jikji and palm leaf manuscript exhibition in September was an event that made us think about the past through the similar heritage that our two countries share, namely ‘recording’, I hope that today’s event will be an opportunity for us to consider how Korea and Laos will be recorded and remembered in the future,” the ambassador said.

Ambassador Jung Yung-soo thanked the Department of Cinema, as well as provincial teams in Xiengkhouang and Champasak, for supporting the first round of screenings. He also expressed appreciation to Lao New Wave Cinema, young directors and film students who devoted their time and creativity to the contest.

The films captured similarities that bring the two peoples closer, along with the differences that encourage deeper understanding, he said, adding that culture has the power to strengthen friendship as bilateral cooperation expands.

By Advertorials desk
(Latest Update December 8, 2025)