1,528 AI films from 87 countries — and 20 of them screen on a full cinema screen, free? 🎬 The 2026 Korea AI Content Awards (KAICA) runs October 15–16 at Lotte Cinema Suwon (TimeVillas Suwon), with an awards ceremony, industry forums, GV sessions, and a pop-up store. Here’s how to reserve your seat, what to expect, and how to catch screenings even if you can’t make it to Suwon.
※ Check the official website for the most accurate and up-to-date information.
AI-generated films from 87 countries, screened at a multiplex in Gyeonggi Province. The 2026 Korea AI Content Awards (대한민국 AI 콘텐츠 어워즈) takes place October 15–16, 2026, at Lotte Cinema Suwon inside TimeVillas Suwon (4F), organized by Gyeonggi Province and the Gyeonggi Content Agency (GCA). Out of 1,528 submitted works, 20 finalists screen on theater screens, alongside an awards ceremony, GV (audience Q&A) sessions, and industry forums led by film, broadcasting, and AI content professionals.
According to the organizers, general admission to the awards ceremony, forums, and GV sessions is free via Naver Booking; AI film screenings cost KRW 3,000 (approx. USD 2.20 at current rates) per person via Lotte Cinema reservation.
This guide is based on official announcements from the Gyeonggi Content Agency (GCA) as of October 2026. For the most current schedule, contact kaica@gcon.or.kr or 070-7575-2351. If you cannot travel to Suwon, 20 finalist films are also screening at 31 Lotte Cinema locations across Seoul and Gyeonggi-do from October 15 to 28.
The official website is in Korean only. Your browser’s translate feature (e.g., Chrome → Translate) works well for checking schedules and reservation details.
Official Organizer Site (Korean)
📊 2026 Korea AI Content Awards at a Glance
Free entry to ceremony & forums — AI films from 87 countries on cinema screens
Awards ceremony, GV, and all industry forums are free via Naver Booking. AI film screenings cost KRW 3,000 (approx. USD 2.20) per person via Lotte Cinema. Pop-up store runs October 10–16 at TimeVillas Suwon 3F.
Dates: Thursday, October 15 – Friday, October 16, 2026 / 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Venue: Lotte Cinema Suwon, TimeVillas Suwon 4F, 134 Sehwa-ro, Gwonseon-gu, Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do
Admission: Ceremony, forums, GV — free (Naver Booking required); Film screenings — KRW 3,000 / approx. USD 2.20 (Lotte Cinema reservation)
Getting There: Suwon Station (KTX, Line 1, Suin-Bundang Line) — TimeVillas Suwon is directly connected
Book the awards ceremony and forums separately from film tickets — two different reservation systems.
Korea AI Content Awards Key Info
Thursday, October 15 – Friday, October 16, 2026
20 finalist AI films screened across 2 days with GV sessions. Awards ceremony: October 15, 2:30 PM, Screen 1 (free, Naver Booking). Industry forums (7 sessions) on AI creative writing, hybrid production, and content investment. Pop-up store Oct. 10–16 at TimeVillas 3F.
Extended screenings at 31 Seoul/Gyeonggi Lotte Cinemas, October 15–28.
1. Dates, Venue & How to Get There
Event Schedule Overview
The 2026 Korea AI Content Awards runs across two full days at Lotte Cinema Suwon (TimeVillas Suwon 4F). On Day 1 (October 15), the main program includes Forum ① (AI content creativity), the awards ceremony at 2:30 PM, Forum ② (AI hybrid production), and Forum ③ (AI co-authorship and authorial responsibility), alongside film screenings with GV in Screen 2. On Day 2 (October 16), four additional forums run across the day alongside further film screenings and GV sessions in both screens. The pop-up store at TimeVillas Suwon 3F opens from October 10 (Saturday) through October 16 (Friday) and is open to all visitors, no registration needed.
Getting There — Suwon Station Is the Hub
TimeVillas Suwon is directly adjacent to Suwon Station, which is served by KTX (high-speed rail from Seoul Station, approx. 25 min), Seoul Metro Line 1, and the Suin-Bundang Line. From Seoul Station, taking the KTX to Suwon is the fastest option. From Incheon International Airport, take the AREX to Seoul Station and transfer to KTX or Line 1 toward Suwon. Total travel time from the airport to Suwon Station is approximately 70–90 minutes depending on connections.
Pop-up Store — Open Before the Main Event
The pop-up store at TimeVillas Suwon 3F runs from October 10 (Saturday) through October 16 (Friday) — five days before the awards ceremony. Visitors can experience AI content creation tools and view exhibition pieces during shopping mall hours. No registration is required for the pop-up. If you’re visiting Suwon ahead of the main event days, this is worth dropping by.
2. World Submissions vs. Korean Finalists at a Glance
| Category | Total Submissions | Finalists |
|---|---|---|
| Countries / Regions | 87 countries and regions worldwide | — |
| Submitted Works | 1,528 films | 20 films |
| Screening Venue | — | Lotte Cinema Suwon + 31 locations across Seoul/Gyeonggi-do |
| Screening Cost | — | KRW 3,000 / approx. USD 2.20 (Lotte Cinema reservation) |
| Awards Ceremony | October 15, 2:30 PM, Screen 1 (free) | — |
| Extended Screening Period | — | October 15–28, 2026 |
| Organizer | Gyeonggi Province · Gyeonggi Content Agency (GCA) | — |
3. Tickets & Booking: 4 Steps for Foreign Visitors
Step 1 — Reserve for the Awards Ceremony, Forums & GV via Naver Booking
The awards ceremony (October 15, 2:30 PM), all industry forums, and GV sessions are free to attend but require advance reservation through Naver Booking (네이버 예약). Seats are limited. If you do not have a Korean Naver account, creating one or asking a Korean-speaking contact to assist is recommended. Note for international visitors: English-language support on Naver Booking may be limited — your browser’s translation tool can help navigate the interface.
Step 2 — Book AI Film Screenings via Lotte Cinema
The 20 finalist AI films screen at Lotte Cinema Suwon on October 15 and 16. Tickets cost KRW 3,000 (approx. USD 2.20) per screening and are purchased separately through the Lotte Cinema reservation system. Major foreign credit cards (Visa, Mastercard) are accepted online and at the box office. A Lotte Cinema account is required for online booking.
Step 3 — Visit the Pop-up Store
TimeVillas Suwon 3F hosts the AI content pop-up from October 10–16. No registration is needed — it functions as a public exhibition within the mall. AI content creation tools and display pieces from submitted works are on view. This is the most accessible part of the event for visitors who cannot attend the main ceremony or film screenings.
Step 4 — Check Nearby Lotte Cinemas for Extended Screenings
All 20 finalist films screen at 31 Lotte Cinema locations across Seoul and Gyeonggi-do from October 15 to 28. If traveling to Suwon is not practical, you can watch the same films at a Lotte Cinema nearer your base in Seoul or elsewhere in the metropolitan area — still at KRW 3,000 per screening.
The official website is in Korean only. Your browser’s translate feature (e.g., Chrome → Translate) works well for checking schedules and reservation details.
Check Program & Booking (Korean)
4. Where to Eat & Stay Nearby
Dining at TimeVillas Suwon
TimeVillas Suwon is a large-format retail and dining complex directly connected to Suwon Station. Multiple restaurant floors inside the mall cover Korean, Japanese, and international cuisine, making it straightforward to eat before or after screenings without leaving the building. The event venue (4F) and the pop-up store (3F) are both inside the same mall.
Where to Stay
Hotels near Suwon Station are the most practical choice for visitors attending both days. Booking.com and Trip.com list a range of options in the immediate area. For visitors based in Seoul, Suwon is reachable by KTX in approximately 25 minutes from Seoul Station — day-tripping from a Seoul base is entirely feasible.
5. What Are the Industry Forums and GV Sessions?
Industry Forum Topics
Seven industry forums are scheduled across October 15 and 16. Topics include the aesthetics of AI selection in creative work (AIDCA), AI hybrid production beyond generative AI (KDPS), the role of human authorship when collaborating with AI (featuring researcher Eun-hee Lee), business viability of AI content (Smart Startup Ventures), a director’s experience experimenting with AI (DGK), and AI expectations for Korean drama production (AIDCA). Participating organizations include the Korean Film Directors Guild (DGK), the Korea Dramatic Photography Specialists Association (KDPS), and the AI Drama Creators Association (AIDCA).
GV — Audience Q&A with AI Filmmakers
GV (관객과의 대화, audience and filmmaker dialogue) sessions accompany most film screenings across both days. Filmmakers discuss the AI tools, creative decisions, and production processes behind their works. For international visitors with Korean language comprehension, these sessions offer direct insight into how AI filmmaking is developing in the Korean and global context. Check the official schedule for simultaneous interpretation availability.
6. 5 Tips for Foreign Visitors
Book Naver Reservation for the Ceremony First
Ceremony and forum seats via Naver Booking are limited and will fill up. The awards ceremony on October 15 at 2:30 PM is the centerpiece — prioritize reserving this first. If your Korean account setup takes time, start this process well before the event dates.
Visit the Pop-up Store from October 10
The pop-up store opens five days before the main event — no registration required. If you’re in Suwon before October 15, dropping by the 3F exhibition is the easiest way to engage with the AI content program without any booking.
Watch Finalist Films at a Nearby Lotte Cinema
Can’t make it to Suwon? All 20 finalist films screen at 31 Lotte Cinema locations across Seoul and Gyeonggi-do from October 15 to 28. At KRW 3,000 (approx. USD 2.20) per film, this is an accessible way to see the selected AI works closer to your base.
Plan GV and Forums Together
The forums and GV sessions run concurrently across two screens over two days. Choosing one full day at the venue lets you attend both a film screening with GV and at least one forum session without excessive scheduling.
Save the Contact Information
For any booking or access questions, the organizer contact is kaica@gcon.or.kr and 070-7575-2351. For group visits or press inquiries, advance contact is required.
💡 Klook lists day experience packages in the Suwon area — combining the AI Awards visit with Hwaseong Fortress (a UNESCO World Heritage Site nearby) makes for a well-rounded day in Gyeonggi-do.
The 2026 Korea AI Content Awards is one of the few events in Asia where AI-generated film from a global field is curated and screened on a full cinema scale, with direct filmmaker dialogue and an industry forum running simultaneously. For visitors interested in the intersection of technology and creative media, this is a compact and accessible event — especially given that the films continue screening at cinemas across the metropolitan area through October 28.
Frequently Asked Questions
More to Explore
Visiting Suwon or Seoul in mid-October? The event below takes place on the same day as the awards ceremony and makes a natural cultural pairing. Search hotels near Suwon Station on Booking.com or Klook for October rates.
The 2026 Seoul Ballet Festival at Seokchon Lake on the same day — free outdoor Swan Lake at Jamsil, no tickets needed.
Traveling to TimeVillas Suwon by KTX or SRT? Check timetables in advance — note that this page is in Korean, so your browser’s translate feature will help.
Sources: Gyeonggi Content Agency official website, official press releases (as of September–October 2026)
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