The world’s most rare event to showcase a new film.
The Pyongyang International Film Festival 2025 is confirmed.
PIFF will be held on 22nd - 27th October, 2025.
Koryo Tours will begin accepting film submissions for North Korea's Pyongyang Film Festival soon. There is currently no information on film fans attending PIFF yet.
The world’s most rare event to showcase a new film.
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Pyongyang International Film Festival
The Pyongyang International Film Festival, otherwise known as PIFF, is an International Film Festival held in Pyongyang since 2002.
This biennial festival has been run as a true international festival, welcoming films from around the world.
Independence, Peace and Friendship
The 17th Pyongyang International Film Festival was held in Pyongyang, DPRK, in September 2019.
This was the last time the Pyongyang International Film Festival was held. All following editions of PIFF have been cancelled due to North Korea border closures and the COVID-19 pandemic.
The 2019 PIFF has a stated aim of 'breaking new ground of film art by promoting exchange and cooperation between world film-makers with the ideals of Independence, Peace and Friendship'.
Koryo Tours & Pyongyang International Film Festival
Koryo Tours has worked closely with the festival organisers over the years. We have helped to expand and improve the range of films shown at the festival and thus seen by large numbers of locals. Films that are ultimately viewed by large audiences across the DPRK.
Amongst others, we screened 'Bend it like Beckham' to a total audience of over 12,000.
Koryo Tours has worked hand-in-hand with the festival organisers to broaden and enhance the selection of films shown.
In collaboration with the British Embassy and Ealing Studios, Koryo Tours has helped bring a wide range of international films into the competition.
Some of the best-known titles to have featured include ‘Bend it Like Beckham’, ‘Mr. Bean’s Holiday', ‘March of the Penguins’, and ‘Bride and Prejudice’.
Pyongyang International Film Festival (PIFF) 2025
What can we expect?
North Korean actors and filmmakers will be at the various festival ceremonies and the official banquet.
The main focus for many of the guests will be films in the new North Korean style of filmmaking, shot on digital cameras. This includes the titles ‘A Day and Night’ and ’72 Hours’.
In 2013, when Koryo Tours released their film ‘Comrade Kim Goes Flying’, 35 mm film was the only accepted standard.
Films are shown in Pyongyang’s 14 cinemas or around the countryside, where they are shown in cinemas in cities, towns, and cooperative farms.
Bollywood films and European films were always popular.
North Koreans at PIFF
It is rare for Pyongyang citizens to get access to foreign films. Tickets for popular films are sought after.
When a film is recognised as good, both the rarity (and price) of a ticket increase.
Films at the Pyongyang International Film Festival (PIFF)
Previous editions have featured over 70 titles in the program of old and new pics, including features, documentaries, shorts and cartoons.
Films from Japan, South Korea and the USA have been barred from the festival since it began in 1987.
That policy remains unchanged today.
Pyongyang International Film Festival (PIFF) Venue
A collection of official delegates, helmers, producers, buyers and critics will stay at the festival hub. The 47-story Yanggakdo Hotel on an island in the Taedong River that flows through Pyongyang.
The festival’s main venue is the five-plex Pyongyang International Cinema House next to the hotel. However, bigger movies, like German opener 'The Miracle of Bern', U.K. comedies 'Mr. Bean' and 'Nanny McPhee', as well as and French drama 'Cache', have been shown in Pyongyang's downtown.
This large venue of the People's Palace of Culture has a 3,000-seat capacity. Larger productions have both subtitles and occasionally live voice-overs.
North Korean Films
Very few North Korean films have made it onto the world stage.
The classic Flower Girl (1972), Hong Kil Dong (1986) and The Schoolgirls Diary (2006) are perhaps the best known. They all belong to one of the three state-owned movie studios.
Pyongyang International Film Festival Submissions
To be confirmed.
Pyongyang International Film Festival Attendance
To be confirmed.
Pyongyang International Film Festival Schedule & Screenings
Please note that the final schedule of events is only announced a few days before the festival begins.
PIFF Further Reading
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