North Korea Resumes Pyongyang International Film Festival After Six-Year Hiatus

North Korea has revived the Pyongyang International Film Festival (PIFF) after a six-year hiatus, with the 18th edition taking place on October 22, 2025, at the Pyongyang International Cinema House. The festival, which began in 1987 and became an annual event in 2018 before being paused due to the COVID-19 pandemic, aims to enhance cultural exchange and promote film tourism as part of North Korea's efforts to open up to the international community and boost its economy. This year's festival featured 92 film entries from countries including Indonesia, Poland, and Mexico, although films from Japan, South Korea, and the United States remain banned. The event also serves as a platform for North Korea to showcase its cinema, which reflects its ideological perspectives, while fostering connections with filmmakers globally. The revival of PIFF coincides with North Korea's broader strategy to attract tourism through international events, such as the recently resumed Pyongyang International Marathon. These cultural initiatives are seen as vital for North Korea's foreign currency revenue and soft diplomacy.