Actress Choi Sung-eun has been named the 11th SIWFF Star, lighting up the 27th Seoul International Women's Film Festival (Executive Director Hwang Hye-rim).
The SIWFF Star, selected annually by the Seoul International Women's Film Festival, serves as an ambassador sharing the diversity and new imagination of women's cinema. This role symbolically communicates the festival's direction and values to the public.
Choi Sung-eun, this year's SIWFF Star, has been recognized for her solid acting skills and profound expression of women's narratives. She embodies the festival's values of transcending boundaries with imagination and solidarity.
Over the years, the Seoul International Women's Film Festival has selected various female filmmakers as SIWFF Stars, including Kim Ah-joong (1st and 2nd), Han Ye-ri (3rd), Lee Young-jin (4th), Kim Min-jung (5th), Lee El (6th), Moon Ga-young (7th), Bang Min-ah (8th), Ok Ja-yeon (9th), and Son Soo-hyun (10th), sharing the festival's significance. Continuing this tradition, Choi Sung-eun joins as this year's SIWFF Star, becoming the face of the 27th festival.
Having studied acting at the Korea National University of Arts, Choi Sung-eun debuted in the film 'Start-Up' as So Kyung-joo, earning the Best New Actress award at the 25th Chunsa Film Art Awards. Her nuanced performances in MBC's anthology ' SF8: Episode 3', JTBC's drama 'Beyond Evil', and the Netflix series 'The Sound of Magic' have solidified her position as an actress and gained her international recognition.
Her first leading role in 'Ten Month' portrays a 29-year-old software developer facing the biggest chaos of her life upon discovering a 10-week pregnancy. This significant film earned her the Best New Actress award at the 31st Buil Film Awards. In 2024, her transformative role in 'My Name Is Loh Kiwan' won her the Best Actress award at the 32nd Korea Entertainment Arts Awards.
Last year, Choi Sung-eun connected with audiences at the 26th Seoul International Women's Film Festival through the film 'Time to Be Strong', which explores the idol industry and the realities of the youth generation. Her portrayal of the former idol 'Soomin' garnered attention, winning the Best Actress award at the 25th Jeonju International Film Festival and achieving a triple crown with the Grand Prize and Watcha Award in the Korean competition section.
Previously, her authentic portrayal of a woman's body and identity in 'Ten Month' received acclaim and was introduced at the 23rd Seoul International Women's Film Festival, continuing her connection with the audience. Her exploration of women's lives and youth narratives aligns with the festival's values of imagination and solidarity, adding significance to her appointment as this year's SIWFF Star.
Looking forward to her role as SIWFF Star, Choi Sung-eun shared, "The Seoul International Women's Film Festival has always been a place for new imaginations and courage. I vividly remember meeting the audience last year with 'Time to Be Strong'. It's truly an honor and exciting to join as this year's SIWFF Star. I look forward to sharing emotions and stories with many people at this festival where diverse worlds intersect."
Since its inception in 1997, the Seoul International Women's Film Festival has expanded the diversity of the Korean film industry by discovering and supporting female filmmakers and introducing films centered on women's narratives. This year, the festival continues to prepare a space for audiences to encounter and imagine each other's worlds through a variety of works.
The Seoul International Women's Film Festival will be held from August 21 (Thursday) to August 27 (Wednesday), 2025, at Megabox Sinchon for seven days.
(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Ji-hye)