THE LA KOREAN FILM FESTIVAL KICKS OFF THIS WEEK!

The Los Angeles Korean International Film Festival (LAKIFF) will showcase over 20 contemporary Korean and Korean American films during its third annual film festival from September 29 to October 5 at the Laemmle Sunset 5 Theatre in West Hollywood.
 
The festival kicks off with the opening night presentation of Kim Sung Soo¡&hibar;s action-packed drama RUNNING WILD, starring Kwon Sang Woo and Yu Ji Tae (Oldboy).  Director Kim Sung Soo will make a special appearance for a post-screening Q&A session.  A GALA CELEBRATION will follow at the IVAR club in Hollywood, with a VIP networking party and an exclusive midnight performance by FAR EAST MOVEMENT, the popular Asian American hip-hop group whose music has recently been featured on The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift soundtrack. 
 
The festival will also feature many films that have garnered critical and commercial successes in both Korea and the USA, including SYMPATHY FOR LADY VENGEANCE, directed by South Korea¡&hibar;s internationally renowned filmmaker Park Chan Wook (JSA, Oldboy), and Lee Yoon Ki¡&hibar;s debut film THIS CHARMING GIRL, which won numerous awards at international film festivals.  In addition, Lee Hyun Seung¡&hibar;s time-travel romance IL MARE, starring popular Korean stars Jeon Ji Hyun (My Sassy Girl) and Lee Jeong Jae (Typhoon) will be screened to celebrate this first Korean film to be remade by Hollywood (The Lake House).
 
Other highlights include the romantic comedy ASIAN STORIES (BOOK 3), the award-winning science fiction feature PUZZLEHEAD, and THE GIFT, a feature based on the true story of a second-generation Korean American. Two shorts programs will screen throughout the week, showcasing a total of 15 outstanding short films. The festival will close with the animation feature ROBOTECH: THE SHADOW CHRONICLES, featuring the voices of Mark Hamill (Star Wars) and Chase Masterson (Star Trek: Deep Space 9), and an incredible musical score preformed by the Prague Philharmonic Orchestra. A Q&A session with the filmmakers will follow the screening.
 
For detailed ticket and schedule info, please visit our website at www.lakiff.org.