I Graduated Film School, But… (2026): Cast, Story and Release

Prepared by Movies Dock Editorial

I Graduated Film School, But… examines the Korean Academy of Film Arts, South Korea’s first national film school. Through observed critique sessions, faculty reviews, administrative meetings and a tense discussion with animation alumni, the documentary considers how institutional conditions shape creative work without relying on interviews or direct intervention.

I Graduated Film School, But… turns its attention to the Korean Academy of Film Arts, an institution founded during a period when South Korea faced pressure to open its film market to Hollywood. Four decades later, the documentary observes the school as it operates in the present day.

Directed and written by Kim Dong-ryung, the film uses an observational approach. Rather than interviews or overt intervention, it follows the meetings, critiques and discussions through which the academy’s educational and creative decisions take shape.

I Graduated Film School, But… movie details

Story without spoilers

The documentary is set within the Korean Academy of Film Arts, established 40 years ago as South Korea’s first national film school. Its focus is not a single student or production, but the institutional processes surrounding creative education.

The film moves through rigorous critique sessions, extended faculty review meetings and administrative gatherings. It also includes a difficult roundtable involving the school and its animation alumni. Together, these settings provide a portrait of how artistic work is assessed, managed and shaped within an established film institution.

What to expect

As a documentary, I Graduated Film School, But… is built around observation rather than scripted drama. Viewers can expect discussions, evaluations and institutional exchanges to provide the film’s main structure, with attention placed on the conditions surrounding creative work.

The premise suggests a measured examination of film education and administration, particularly the tension that can emerge between a school and former students. The film’s 2-hour-11-minute runtime allows room for its meetings and review sessions to unfold in detail.

Cast and creative team

Kim Dong-ryung serves as both director and writer. Joh Keun-shik and Lee So-hyun appear as themselves. The film’s observational perspective centers on the Korean Academy of Film Arts and the people involved in its critiques, reviews, administrative meetings and alumni roundtable.

• Joh Keun-shik as Self
• Lee So-hyun as Self

Release and production context

I Graduated Film School, But… is a 2026 documentary from South Korea, spoken in Korean. It has a runtime of 2 hours and 11 minutes and was released on September 5, 2026. The production company is laughter & needle film.

Production companies: laughter & needle film

Movies Dock view

I Graduated Film School, But… offers a process-focused look at a major Korean film institution. By observing critiques, meetings and exchanges with alumni, it frames creative education as something shaped not only by individual ideas but also by the structures responsible for evaluating and supporting them.

Film data:
TMDB