Scheduled EBS Documentary Showcases in Late Summer Season
K-Docs Festival 2025 and EIDF Unveiled: Celebrating Documentary Artistry in Korea
The Korean documentary scene is set to shine brightly in August, as South Korea's public broadcaster EBS prepares to host the K-Docs Festival and EIDF 2025.
The K-Docs Festival, now in its fourth year, will take place from August 20 to August 22, 2025, in venues located in Myeong-dong, central Seoul. This event will highlight emerging Korean documentary filmmakers and new local titles, featuring screenings such as "On the Wings of a Butterfly," "Horoomon," and "Whales And." The first two films will have English subtitles; the third will not. Each screening will be followed by a 40-minute Q&A session. This event includes documentary screenings and domestic investor pitch sessions.
Meanwhile, the EIDF (EBS International Documentary Festival) 2025 will run from August 25 to August 31, 2025, across venues in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, and Seoul. The festival features 62 documentaries from 35 countries, centred on the theme of "Expanding the Boundaries of Documentary." A notable category this year is "Creative Documentary," which spotlights innovative hybrid works blending documentary with AI, animation, and musicals. Ten documentaries will compete for a top prize of 10 million won.
Kim Kwang-ho, executive committee chair of EIDF, outlined the overarching vision for this year's event, aiming to curate more experimental and multi-layered works that capture the spirit of the times and offer new perspectives on society. The lineup for EIDF 2025 is organized by production region - Global, Asia, and Korea - rather than by subject.
The K-Docs Festival has adopted the title "festival" for the first time, signifying its growth and evolution. Three selected K-Docs projects - "On the Wings of a Butterfly," "Horoomon" and "Whales And" - will be screened during the festival. Additionally, the International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam will offer overseas pitching opportunities for standout projects from the K-Docs Festival in November.
These events highlight both local Korean documentary talent and international works through screenings, discussions, and competitions. Prepare to immerse yourself in a world of captivating documentaries, engaging discussions, and inspiring filmmaking at the K-Docs Festival 2025 and EIDF 2025.
| Festival | Dates | Venues | Highlights | |----------------|---------------------|------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------| | K-Docs Festival| Aug 20 – Aug 22, 2025| Myeong-dong, Seoul | Emerging Korean docs; films: "On the Wings of a Butterfly," "Horoomon," "Whales And"; Q&A sessions | | EIDF 2025 | Aug 25 – Aug 31, 2025| Goyang (Gyeonggi Province) & Seoul | 62 docs from 35 countries, theme "Expanding Boundaries," new "Creative Documentary" category, 10 competition films |
Discussions revolving around the lifestyle and home-and-garden aspects can be found within the K-Docs Festival 2025, as some local titles being showcased may involve documentary films about traditional Korean homes and their architectural evolution, offering a unique perspective on Korean culture and history. The EIDF 2025, with its expansive documentary lineup, may also feature a documentary that explores the rejuvenation of Korean gardens as part of the overall transformation of Korean lifestyles and traditions.
