Jeonbuk National University (JBNU) Humanities Research Institute co‑operated in running the flagship program "Talking Cinema" of the 14th Muju Sangol Film Festival as part of the '2026 Muju Humanities City Support Project,' presenting a community-based model for humanities practice.

The program, which combined film screenings with discussions, was designed to help audiences expand their reflections through the works and to experience the value of the humanities in the local community in an accessible way.

Held six times from June 5–7, 2026, the Talking Cinema sessions featured 15 film professionals and experts who engaged with audiences on a variety of themes.

Beginning with a screening of early short films by Director Byun Sung‑hyun and a special discussion including Director Kim Ji‑woon, the program continued with screenings combined with a live performance by electronic musician Kirara, a spotlight on Director Son Gu‑yong's body of work, and a humanities discussion addressing family issues from a psychiatric perspective.

On the final day, a dialogue with the feminist documentary collective "Yeonbunhongchima" and a talk featuring actor Kim Shin‑rok and Director Kim Cho‑hee completed a space for multilayered interpretations of the films and shared empathy.

JBNU Humanities Research Institute demonstrated through this collaboration that the humanities can combine with local cultural content to create new public value.

In particular, by establishing a structure in which local residents and festival audiences naturally participate in humanities discourse, it suggested the practical potential for the diffusion of "humanities within the community."

Professor Park Jeong‑min, the Principal Investigator (PI), said, "We hope this Talking Cinema provided an opportunity to experience Muju's humanistic assets more closely," and added, "We will continue to expand humanities programs that work closely with the local community."