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A still from Possible Love. <Netflix>

July Jung, director of Dora, has been named a Chevalier of France’s Order of Arts and Letters (Ordre des Arts et des Lettres). The insignia was presented on Oct. 10 at the 2026 French Night, hosted by the Embassy of France in Korea at Paradise Hotel Busan. The embassy announced the honor on Oct. 14.

The French Ministry of Culture awards the Order of Arts and Letters for creative achievement in the arts and culture or for contributions to the arts and culture of France and the world. The order has three grades: Chevalier, Officier and Commandeur. The embassy organizes the French Night to foster exchange between Korean and French filmmakers. This year it was held during the 31st Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) to mark the 140th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries. About 150 filmmakers from Korea and France attended, including Korean Film Council (KOFIC) Chairperson Han Sang-jun and BIFF Chairman Park Kwang-su.

Encouragement From French Audiences Behind Three-Country Co-Production ‘Dora’

Jung said she had wondered whether she deserved the honor. Then she thought of the audiences she had met in Paris, Cannes and other cities across France. Their encouragement, she said, reaffirmed for her “the power of cinema, in which the lives portrayed in a film could become our own stories.” That conviction gave her the courage to make an unprecedented kind of co-production.

Korea, France and Luxembourg co-produced Dora from the development stage onward. The film was also selected for KOFIC’s mid-budget Korean film production support program, launched in 2025. Japanese actor Sakura Ando co-stars. The film was shot in Namhae, and postproduction took place in France and Luxembourg. It follows Dora (Kim Do-yeon), who has a mysterious illness, as she spends a summer with her family at a seaside vacation house and experiences love for the first time.

From ‘A Girl at My Door’ to ‘Dora’: Every Jung Feature Has Screened at Cannes

All of Jung’s features have screened at the Cannes Film Festival. Her 2014 debut, A Girl at My Door, premiered in Un Certain Regard. Eight years later, Next Sohee closed Critics’ Week. This year Dora was invited to the Directors’ Fortnight at the 79th Cannes Film Festival, where it had its world premiere on May 17 (local time). The Directors’ Fortnight is a parallel section of the festival run by France’s directors’ guild, the Société des Réalisateurs de Films (SRF).

Michel Miraillet, France’s chargé d’affaires in Korea, presented the insignia. He described the Cannes Film Festival as Jung’s most steadfast supporter and most ardent fan. Her films, he said, bring forward characters who go unnoticed yet are strong and resilient, and portray them with a sensitive eye.

With all three of her features having played Cannes, the festival circuit will be watching what Jung makes after Dora.

Sources

• Kyunghyang Shinmun, “‘Dora’ Director July Jung Awarded France’s Order of Arts and Letters, Chevalier,” 2026.10.14

• Women’s News, “Invited to Cannes Three Times, July Jung Named Chevalier by France; Cinematographer Jang Byung-wook Wins Angénieux Award,” 2026.10.21

• The Korea Times, “Korean filmmaker July Jung awarded French cultural honor,” 2026.10.14

• Star News, “Kim Do-yeon Heads to Cannes; ‘Dora’ Invited to Cannes Directors’ Fortnight,” 2026.04.15

• Vogue Korea, “‘Dora,’ July Jung’s New Film Drawing Cannes’ Attention,” 2026.05.07