Yoo Ji-tae, on a pilgrimage to art cinemas nationwide to support independent films for 14 years

A New Turning Point for 'Watching Independent Films with Yoo Ji-tae,' Continuing for 14 Years

Actor Yoo Ji-tae is expanding his independent film support project, which has continued for 14 years since 2012, into a nationwide pilgrimage project. 'Watching Independent Films with Yoo Ji-tae,' which has selected one independent film and invited 100 audience members for a screening and Guest Visit (GV) every time he finishes filming a commercial movie or drama, has entered a new phase starting with this 30th screening.

Moving beyond existing screening support, the project is transforming into one that directly visits local art cinemas. To facilitate this expansion, Yoo Ji-tae has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Korea Art Cinema Association. Both parties will establish a cooperative system connecting independent films with art cinemas across the country and local audiences. The association will support the nationwide settlement of the project by assisting with the connection of participating cinemas, selection of films, and GV operations.

In the past, Yoo Ji-tae has focused on expanding the touchpoints for independent films to coincide with the conclusion of his commercial activities. This 30th event marks the first step in transitioning personal sponsorship into a public cooperation model.

July 18 at Gwangju Cinema: Screening and GV of the Documentary 'Soyeong's Effort'

The first stage of the nationwide pilgrimage project will be held at Gwangju Cinema on July 18 at 3:00 PM. The 30th screening film is director Oh Jae-hyung's documentary, 'Soyeong's Effort.' This event goes beyond a simple screening to provide a space for sharing the production intentions and meaning of the work.

Attendees will include Yoo Ji-tae, director Oh Jae-hyung, and the film's protagonists, Kim So-young and Jeong Hui-jeong. Immediately after the screening, they will communicate with the audience through a Guest Visit (GV) to share the stories within the film. The work of director Oh Jae-hyung, who is from Gwangju, will be presented at Gwangju Cinema, a symbolic theater of the region.

While the invitation event for the 30th session has closed on a first-come, first-served basis, general audiences can watch the film through Gwangju Cinema's online reservation system or on-site ticketing. In line with the intention to introduce local films and filmmakers, the touchpoints with the Gwangju regional audience will be expanded.

'Soyeong's Effort' Proven by Awards, Official Release on July 22

'Soyeong's Effort' is a documentary capturing the process of Soyeong, a person with a disability, expressing her life and communicating with the world through dance. This work has already had its artistic value recognized at major domestic and international film festivals.

It received acclaim from critics and audiences, winning the Artistic Award at the 16th DMZ International Documentary Film Festival, the Feature Film Audience Award at the 16th Gwangju Women's Film Festival, and the Best Jury Special Award at the 8th Seoul Dance Film Festival. The film is scheduled for its official release on July 22.

"I will support even more diligently, taking it as a sign to protect the theaters"

Yoo Ji-tae's actions are not limited to temporary events. He was awarded the 'Kang Soo-yeon Award' at the 26th Women in Film Festival last year in recognition of his contributions to revitalizing independent films. At the time, in his acceptance speech, he stated, "I will take this as a sign to protect the theaters and will support them even more diligently." This nationwide art cinema pilgrimage project is a process of fulfilling that promise.

This activity, which began in 2012, is evolving beyond individual goodwill into a system connected to regional theaters nationwide through organizational cooperation with the Korea Art Cinema Association.