Gyeongsangbuk-do is accelerating the expansion of its industrial ecosystem based on the 'Gyeongbuk International AI & Metaverse Film Festival.'

On the 18th, Gyeongbuk Province held a briefing at the Provincial Office's multi-purpose hall, attended by about 100 people including city/county officials and festival organizing committee members, to announce the major programs and development strategies for the '2026 Gyeongbuk International AI & Metaverse Film Festival,' which will open on September 3rd.

Marking its 3rd anniversary this year, the Gyeongbuk International AI & Metaverse Film Festival will be held from September 3rd to 5th, connecting the industrial foundations and characteristics of Gumi, Pohang, and Gyeongsan.

Gumi City will focus on the AI and virtual convergence industry to connect companies and talent, creating new business opportunities. Pohang City will promote the localization of the culture and content industry, centering on AI and Visual Effects (VFX)-based films and advertisements. Gyeongsan City will support the competitiveness of local game companies and their entry into the global market through the convergence of AI and the gaming industry.

The three cities will also showcase various content that combines the experiences and creativity of all generations—from children to seniors—with AI technology, demonstrating AI creations that bridge the generational gap.

The film festival, which started as the nation's first AI & Metaverse film festival under the vision of 'Gyeongbuk, the Capital of the Metaverse,' has continuously expanded its scope of cooperation with major institutions in the U.S., China, Japan, and elsewhere with the goal of becoming an industry-centered global platform.

This year, a total of 3,403 entries from 97 countries around the world were submitted to the AI film contest, more than triple the 1,075 entries from last year. In particular, overseas submissions surged more than 20-fold from 72 last year to 1,587, demonstrating the festival's growth as an AI content event.

Gyeongbuk Province plans to foster the film festival into a global industrial platform that connects AI, VFX, gaming, and the virtual convergence industry.

The plan is to expand the existing global cooperation network—which includes the U.S., China, and Japan—to Europe and other regions, and in the long term, grow it into a world-class AI content event with participation from over 150 countries.

The province will support investment, production, and overseas expansion for the creators and companies discovered through the contest and awards ceremony, and strengthen practical talent training in connection with local universities and businesses.

Yang Kyung-mi, the executive committee chair who oversaw the judging for this year's AI film contest, highly praised the increased completion and diversity of the works, stating, "While judging the 3,403 entries, I confirmed that AI video is now moving beyond the stage of simple technical experimentation and growing into a new language of creation."

Lee Cheol-woo, Governor of Gyeongsangbuk-do, said, "Within just three years of its launch, the Gyeongbuk International AI & Metaverse Film Festival is establishing itself as a unique AI content platform with 3,403 entries from 97 countries." He added, "We will expand the film festival into the world's largest international AI film festival and develop it into a global platform that promotes Gyeongbuk's K-Culture, including K-Food, to the world."

He further emphasized, "Based on this film festival, we will do our best to build an AI and virtual convergence industry ecosystem that is at the highest level in South Korea, ensuring that Gyeongbuk can lead the global AI content industry."

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