The Middleburg Film Festival, held from Oct 15 to 18, is one of the major film festivals that serves as a gateway to the Academy Awards and is attracting attention as a film festival that shows new influence among numerous North American film festivals. Minari follows a Korean-American family that moves to a tiny Arkansas farm in search of their own American Dream. Steven Yeun, Han Ye Ri, Alan Kim, Noel Kate Cho, Youn Yuh Jung, and Will Patton starred in the film. It is directed by Lee Isaac Chung, who was invited to the Cannes Film Festival and won the Grand Prize at the AFI Fest with his film Munyurangabo. In particular, Variety added Minari in their predictions for Best Picture and Best Original Screenplay for Oscar next year. Moreover, Minari has received favorable reviews from foreign media since its release, winning awards at prestigious overseas film festivals and receiving favorable media reviews. The movie had its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival and took home both the U.S. Dramatic Grand Jury Prize as well as the U.S. Dramatic Audience Award. The Washington Post praised the movie, writing, ŌĆ£Minari has been an unquestionable high point to this yearŌĆÖs Sundance, a breakout critical hit that with exquisite tenderness and simple beauty brings to life a classic immigrant tale and a compassionate family drama. ŌĆØ Minari also has been selected as the opening film of the 40th Hawaii International Film Festival and was invited to the Gala Presentation section of the 25th Busan International Film Festival. Meanwhile, the movie will be released in the U.S. at the end of February next year. Source (1, 2)
