May 2021
The Pyongyang International Film Festival (PIFF)
Pyongyang International Film Festival is held annually in Pyongyang, usually around September time. Koryo Tours & Studio are the official partners of PIFF, Pyongyang International Film Festival.
We have been working with the organisers of PIFF since 2002 and have a strong focus on helping them to expand the festival and improve the range of foreign films shown to a wider North Korean audience.
Through us, you can also do your own PIFF submission, too! Submissions must be via hard copy and it can take a long time to hear back from Pyongyang whether your film has made the cut or not. PIFF accepts feature films, documentaries, short films, and animations. You can check the criteria for eligibility and film festival regulations on the PIFF website.
The PIFF opening ceremony is held in the Yanggakdo International Cinema. It is possible for foreigners to attend this, although special permission is needed. There are then various films shown throughout the days during the festival in multiple locations in Pyongyang. Tickets are often well sought-after and cinemas are often packed full.
Usually, it’s possible for foreigners to attend the opening ceremony and also pay a visit to any of the cinemas to watch one of the films being screened. Recently, Bollywood has become very popular!
