Director HAN Jiwon won her first “Star of Indie” Grand Prize at Seoul Indie-AniFest with her animation [Kopi Luwak](2010), featuring high school students who love death metal. She received her second “Star of Indie” Grand Prize with [The Sea on the Day When the Magic Returns], about a job seeker who falls victim to an apartment scam and is even betrayed by her boyfriend whom she meant to marry. She is widely regarded as the brightest star in independent animation.

HAN Jiwon’s indie sensibilities truly shine in  [Lost in Starlight](2025), Netflix’s first Korean-language feature-length animation. Set in the near future, it’s a story about lovers in Seoul and scientists exploring Mars. The 2025 Seoul Indie-AniFest has invited Director HAN Jiwon and the main cast of [Lost in Starlight].

The members of the production fiercely pursued their dreams, much like the main characters in HAN Jiwon’s works. This is a wonderful chance to see both the shining present and bright future of independent animation. 

LEE Kyunghwa

*This event will be held as a special talk only, with no screening.