School for Defectors

Dir. Jeremy Workman

Cinema Versa

Thu 5 Nov - Thu 12 Nov

Thu 5 Nov

Thu 12 Nov

Thu 5 Nov

18:00

Everyman Cinema Leeds, Leeds

Screen 4

Tickets
Tue 10 Nov

14:30

Everyman Cinema Leeds, Leeds

Screen 4

Tickets
Thu 12 Nov

13:30

Vue in the Light, Leeds

Screen 12

Tickets

Receiving its European Premiere at LIFF 2026, this poignant observational documentary was filmed in Busan, South Korea, at a small school with just 20 students, all North Korean defectors.

American director and editor Jeremy Workman had unique access over the course of a year, recording the stories of survival and resilience that led the students to the school, alongside their dreams, ambitions and hopes for the future. An illuminating journey through the hardships of adapting to a completely new way of life and future.

Presented in partnership with Leeds Young Film Festival

"Workman crafts a deeply touching portrait of students building a future while contending with a past they had no control over." — Stephen Saito, Moveable Fest

Content Guidance

Contains descriptions of trauma, death, descriptions of torture, and discussions of mental health.

Director Jeremy Workman
Running time 93 mins
Production year 2026
Country South Korea, USA
Language Korean, English
UK distributor No current UK distributor
Sales Agent UTA
Certificate LIFF age rating 12A
Premiere Status European Premiere