DMZ인더스트리

We would like to thank all creators for their continued interest in DMZ Docs Industry and for applying to the Development Support Open Call.

We are pleased to announce the total of 10 works selected for DMZ Docs Industry Project Development Support (Korea and Asia).

Final Selections for the 2025 DMZ Docs Industry Project Development Support (Korea & Asia) (In alphabetical order (by project title))

Jury for the 2025 DMZ Docs Industry Project Development Support (Korea)

Kim Jin yeol | Documentary director

Byun gyuri  | Documentary director

Oh Jung-hun | Vice Chairperson of DMZ International Documentary Film Festival, / Documentary director

Jury for the 2025 DMZ Docs Industry Project Development Support (ASIA)

Chen wanling | Film Programmer, Taiwan International Documentary Festival (TIDF)

Hyoung Gun | Head Programmer, EBS International Documentary Festival (EIDF)

Kang jinseok | Programmer, DMZ International Documentary Film Festival (DMZ Docs)

Jury Comments for the 2025 DMZ Docs Industry Project Development Support (Korea)

A total of 64 projects applied for the DMZ Docs Production Support – Project Development category. It was a valuable opportunity to encounter documentary filmmakers’ broad and nuanced perspectives, awareness of pressing social issues in Korea, historical events, and the psychological impacts individuals endure, as well as their experimental challenges.

Compared to last year, the number of submissions increased, and the jurors could clearly feel both the quantitative growth and the passion of documentary creators. Despite the limited production support funds, the jurors could not help but consider the need for expanded financial support from documentary institutions, including film festivals.

After long and thorough discussions, the jury selected five projects:

K-Grandma’ Square  — portraying the new independence of two grandmothers who break free from the patriarchal system and confidently step into the public sphere.

Roro — the precarious journey of a young self-sufficient farmer who escapes the life forced by capitalism and returns to rural life.

When I Was the Most Beautiful — a poignant tribute to a director who loved documentary filmmaking until the very end of their life.

Our Complex — depicting the dreams of youth in Yeosu and the harsh realities faced by workers confronting death.

Horumon — recreating the irony of food, which is both a means of survival and a symbol of discrimination for Korean-Japanese, through history and culture.

The jury extends heartfelt congratulations to the selected projects and sends encouragement to those not selected. We hope that despite the difficult production conditions, all these dedicated works will be completed and resonate deeply with audiences and society.

Jury Comments for the 2025 DMZ Docs Industry Project Development Support (ASIA)

The submissions reviewed for this year’s DMZ Project Development Fund came from all corners of the world, offering the reviewers a rare glimpse  into stories shaped by diverse cultures, languages, societies, and political contexts—each one a reminder of our own smallness in the vastness of  global storytelling. While some proposals still have room for improvement in terms of structure and completeness in their proposal, the overall  diversity was surprising. From sharp observations on social issues to the bold expression of personal style, the projects reflected a deep  understanding of cinematic language and a passion for storytelling. Many also demonstrated innovative approaches to narrative structure and  visual aesthetics. Each submission represented not only a response to the world but also a courageous and honest act of self-expression.​