As the global film industry continues to grapple with systemic challenges related to workplace safety and equity, a significant dialogue is set to unfold in South Korea this spring. On May 3, 2026, the Jeonju International Film Festival will host a pivotal forum focused on labor conditions, safety protocols, and gender equality within the cinematic sectors of both South Korea, and Japan. Organized by the Korean Center for Gender Equality in Film, known as Deundeun, the event brings together stakeholders from across the Pacific to examine shared structural vulnerabilities and explore actionable reforms.
The forum, titled “Practical Strategies for the Future of the Film Industry: Korea-Japan Dialogue on Labor, Safety, and Gender Equality,” emerges from growing recognition that persistent issues such as on-set harassment and occupational hazards are not isolated incidents but symptoms of deeper infrastructural gaps. According to multiple verified sources, the current project-based, freelance-driven model prevalent in both countries’ film industries often leaves workers without adequate institutional support when facing misconduct or injury. This environment, organizers argue, places an undue burden on individuals to navigate reporting mechanisms and recovery processes alone.
Central to the discussion is a comparative analysis of how each nation addresses these challenges. On the Korean side, Deundeun will present its accumulated experience in developing victim support frameworks, drafting industry-specific guidelines, and advocating for preventive education initiatives. The organization, which launched in 2021, has become a key reference point for tracking and responding to gender-based violence in Korean film production spaces. Its approach emphasizes integrating film-specific realities into broader equality strategies, particularly through collaboration with labor unions and municipal bodies.
Representing Japan, the Japan Entertainment Workers Association (JEWA) will share insights from its operational model, which includes administering a special enrollment workers’ compensation insurance system approved by Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. Established in April 2021, JEWA represents over 350 occupational categories within Japan’s entertainment sector and provides on-the-ground assistance related to occupational safety, social security enrollment, and responses to power-based harassment. The group also engages in policy advocacy aimed at expanding access to protective systems for precarious workers.
The forum’s timing during the Jeonju International Film Festival underscores a deliberate effort to engage an international audience of filmmakers, programmers, and industry professionals attending one of Asia’s most prominent cinema events. By situating the conversation within a cultural festival context, organizers aim to bridge artistic discourse with labor advocacy, reinforcing the idea that sustainable creativity depends on equitable and safe working conditions.
Both Deundeun and JEWA stress that meaningful progress requires moving beyond case-by-case responses toward systemic intervention. This includes strengthening data collection on workplace incidents, clarifying employer responsibilities in decentralized production models, and building cross-institutional referral networks that can support workers regardless of project duration or employer affiliation. The dialogue also highlights the importance of centering worker voices in shaping reforms, particularly those most vulnerable to exploitation due to immigration status, gender identity, or career stage.
As preparations advance, confirmed participants include Kim Seon-ah, chairperson of the Korean Women Filmmakers’ Union, who will serve as forum moderator. Lee Eun-hye, secretary general of Deundeun; and Megumi Morisaki, representative director of JEWA. Their respective presentations are expected to draw from field-tested practices, offering attendees concrete examples of how policy intent can translate into workplace-level change.
While the forum does not purport to offer definitive solutions, its organizers describe it as a necessary step toward establishing a shared knowledge base for transnational cooperation. By documenting what has worked—and what has not—in each context, the exchange aims to illuminate pathways toward more resilient and equitable film industries in both countries and beyond.
The event will take place at the Jeonju Jungbu Vision Center on May 3, 2026, as part of the festival’s official industry program. Further details regarding registration and access are expected to be released through the Jeonju International Film Festival’s official channels closer to the date.
For ongoing updates on labor equity initiatives in global film production, readers are encouraged to consult official publications from Deundeun and JEWA, as well as reports from international bodies such as the International Labour Organization that monitor workplace conditions in creative sectors.
We invite our readers to share their perspectives on this developing conversation. How might lessons from Korea and Japan inform broader efforts to protect cultural workers worldwide? Join the discussion by commenting below and sharing this article with colleagues in the film and advocacy communities.