A historic moment for Korean cinema. Director Hur Ga-young's graduation film First Summer has taken 1st Prize in the La Cinef section at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, marking the first time ever a Korean film has won the top honor in this category.

🎬 KAFA Project Makes Cannes History

First Summer was created as Hur Ga-young's graduation film for the 41st class of the Korean Academy of Film Arts (KAFA). The short tells the heartfelt story of Young-soon (played by Heo Jin), an elderly woman who, rather than attending her granddaughter's wedding, chooses to go to the 49th-day death ritual for her late boyfriend Hak-soo (played by Jung In-gi).

🌍 La Cinef: Cannes' Platform for Next-Gen Filmmakers

La Cinef (formerly Cinéfondation) is a section of the Cannes Film Festival dedicated to discovering emerging voices in global cinema. It showcases medium-length and short films from students enrolled in film schools around the world.

In 2025, a record 2,679 submissions were received, with only 16 finalists making it into the competition. After deliberation, Cannes judges awarded 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place among the top 4 finalists.

🏆 Prize & Global Screening

As the 1st Prize winner, First Summer will receive €15,000 (approx. 23 million KRW). The film will also be screened at Cinéma du Panthéon in Paris on June 6, as part of a special La Cinef showcase.

This victory marks a significant milestone for Korean student films on the international stage, and all eyes are now on Hur Ga-young as a promising new force in Korean cinema.

[Photo Credit: Cannes Film Festival Official Website]