ULJU, Sept. 13 (Korea Bizwire) – The 9th Ulsan Ulju World Mountain Film Festival, set to run from September 27 to October 1, is poised to attract a star-studded lineup of international directors, actors, and mountaineers to this industrial city in southeastern South Korea.
The festival’s opening ceremony will be hosted by television personality Jo Woo-jong and actress Uee, who serves as the event’s ambassador.
Helias Millerioux, one of the protagonists of the opening film “Nuptse: Touching the Intangible,” will not only attend the premiere but also engage with audiences at screenings on September 30 and October 1.
Renowned Indian mountaineer Harish Kapadia, recipient of the 2024 Ulsan Ulju World Mountain Culture Award (UMCA), will be a prominent figure throughout the festival.
His schedule includes the award ceremony, followed by a UMCA lecture on September 28 and a meet-and-greet session on September 29.
A highlight of the festival will be a discussion following the screening of “Rope,” a film chronicling the final climb of Kazuya Hiraide and Kenro Nakajima.
The post-screening dialogue will feature the film’s director, Moe Wada, alongside veteran Japanese female mountaineer Reiko Terasawa and South Korean expedition leader Ahn Chi-young.
The festival has also secured appearances from international filmmakers such as Michael Dillon, director of “The Great White Whale,” Jon Glassberg, director of “Dear Mother,” along with its star Cody Kaemmerlen, and Vincent Groos, director of “Climbing for Gold.”
Domestic talent will be well-represented, with directors and cast members from critically acclaimed Korean films making appearances.
Oh Jung-min, director of “House Of The Seasons,” will attend with actors Oh Man-seok and Cha Mi-kyung, as well as Jang Byung-ki, director of “When This Summer is Over.”
The festival will showcase a diverse group of mountaineers and adventurers. Notable attendees include Sa Sol, a former national sport climbing team member and protagonist of “Sa Sol’s Odyssey,” professional climber Lee Min-young from “Last Ray,” Italian explorer and environmental activist Alex Bellini, mountaineer Hong Sung-taek, and Song Gwi-hwa, who holds the record as the oldest woman to summit the highest peaks on all seven continents.
As South Korea’s sole international mountain film festival, the event celebrates the interconnection of mountains, nature, and humanity through cinema.
This year’s edition will feature 97 films from 28 countries, alongside various performances and interactive experiences. The screenings will take place at the Yeongnam Alps Complex Welcome Center and Ulsan Grand Park.
Ticket information and detailed program schedules are available on the festival’s official website (umff.kr).
Image credit: The Ulsan Ulju World Mountain Film Festival / photonews@koreabizwire.com
