Director Bong Joon Ho Becomes First Korean Jury President Of Venice Film Festival

Oscar-winning director Bong Joon Ho has made history yet again as he becomes the first South Korean to be named jury president of the 2021 Venice Film Festival. He is well known for many of his amazing works such as Parasite, Okja, Snowpiercer, Mother, The Host, and Memories of Murder.

According to the official homepage of the film festival, Bong Joon Ho showed his excitement greatly.

Venice International Film Festival carries a long and varied history, and I’m honored to be a part of its beautiful cinematic tradition. As president of the jury—and more importantly, as a lover of cinema—I’m ready to admire and celebrate all the great films selected by the festival. I’m filled with genuine hope and excitement.

—Bong Joon Ho

Alberto Barbera, artistic director of the festival, stated “Bong Joon Ho is one of the most authentic and original voices in worldwide cinema. We are immensely grateful to him for having agreed to put his passion as a cinephile at the service of our festival.”

Venice Film Festival is part of the “Big Three” major film festivals along with the Cannes Film Festival and the Berlin International Film Festival. The 78th Venice Film Festival is the only major festival to hold its event in person in the coming September amid the COVID19 outbreak.