IPMF 2026 GNSM · Industry programme
2026 National Planetarium Professionals Workshop
Monday 7 – Tuesday 8 September 2026 · Gwacheon National Science Museum
A twenty-four hour gathering for the people who run Korea's planetariums. Participants judge the eight dome films selected for IPMF 2026, share what they have learned about running and upgrading their own domes, and meet the rest of the field. Hosted by Gwacheon National Science Museum, Department of Space Astronomy.
| ⏰ Dates | Monday 7 September, 13:00 – Tuesday 8 September, 12:00 Registration from 12:00 on Day 1. Korea Standard Time, UTC+9. |
| 📍 Venue | Planetarium, Gwacheon National Science Museum |
| 🤗 Who attends | Planetarium managers and operators from across Korea, and professionals working in the sector — approximately 50 people |
| 🎯 Main programme | - Screening and judging of eight IPMF 2026 selected dome films, including six Korean premieres
- Case studies in planetarium content development in Korea
- Updates on international exchange, including the 2026 International Planetarium Society Conference
- Dinner, networking and a fulldome content marketplace
|
| 🏛 Organiser | Gwacheon National Science Museum In cooperation with the Korean Association of Astronomy and Space Science Museums and the Korean Astronomical Society |
Background and purpose
More than 100 planetarium facilities across Korea serve as a bridge between science education and the wider public. The people who operate and manage them need practical support, and opportunities to exchange experience with one another.
The workshop exists to share information on equipment operation and maintenance and on trends in fulldome imaging and content — in Korea and abroad — and to identify what support the sector needs and how the field can work together to provide it.
NoteHeld every two years from 2012. Suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic and resumed in 2023, but has not run continuously since.
📅 Programme
Day 1 · Monday 7 September
Day 2 · Tuesday 8 September
The programme is provisional and may be adjusted.
🎬 The eight films under judging
Screened across four themed sessions on Day 1 and judged by the participants. Six of the eight are Korean premieres. The winners are announced at the IPMF 2026 Awards Ceremony on Monday 14 September.
Session 1 · Cycle · 13:30
IP01-1 · Japan · 2025 · 25:00 · Korean dub · recommended for children
INAZMA DELIVERY: Bytheway’s Earth Exploration?!
Close Encounters of the Aurora
Director Aguri Miyazaki · Kanaban Graphics Ltd.
Astronomy & Space Science · Natural Science
Bytheway, a young alien, comes to Earth to see its legendary sharks. Suddenly the city lights fail and a red glow shimmers in the north. He sets off for the Sun to solve the mystery.
IP01-2 · Spain · 2026 · 30:15 · Korean subtitles · recommended for children
Lila: Life Cycles and Connections
꼬마 나비 라일라의 생태계 여행
Director Mariano Hernández Rodilana · 3duno
Natural Science
Shrink to a caterpillar's size and soar as a butterfly. Explore photosynthesis, the water cycle, and the secret networks of the forest — science blended with wonder.
Session 2 · Life · 15:00
IP02-1 · South Africa · 2025 · 30:10 · Korean subtitles · recommended for children
Close Encounters — Larger than Life Virtual Safari
코끼리 코털까지 보러 갈 사람?
Director Telmo dos Reis · VR Capture
Natural Science · Immersive Art & Experimental
An 8K fulldome film that takes audiences on an immersive virtual safari, face-to-face with Africa's most iconic animals. Filmed in KwaZulu-Natal, with a powerful conservation message.
IP02-2 · France · 2025 · 28:50 · Korean dub · recommended for children
H2O: The Cosmic States of Water
물: 우주 생명의 열쇠
Directors Stéphane Bertrand and Damien Maugin · 3D Emotion / Mediastro Promotion
Astronomy & Space Science
Sedna, a playful sea otter in the icy north, dreams of travel. One night, guided by H2O, she journeys through Earth's water cycle and gains the confidence for a greater adventure.
Session 3 · Exploration · 16:10
IP03-1 · Republic of Korea · 2026 · 24:52 · Korean dub · recommended for teenagers
World of Radio Telescope
전파 여행: 보이지 않는 우주
Director Kwon O Chul · Hug Media
Astronomy & Space Science
A century ago, Karl Jansky detected radio signals from the Milky Way's centre. From the first radio telescope to the Event Horizon Telescope's black hole image — the invisible universe.
IP03-2 · United Kingdom · 2025 · 24:59 · Korean dub · recommended for teenagers
One Step Beyond: A Journey to Mars
우주여행 도장 깨기: 달에서 화성으로!
Director Aaron Bradbury · NSC Creative
Astronomy & Space Science
One small step was just the beginning. Now we take one step beyond — driven by curiosity, bound for Mars, and ready to write the boldest chapter in human exploration.
Session 4 · Voyage · 17:20
IP04-1 · Czech Republic · 2025 · 33:33 · Korean subtitles · recommended for adults
Edge of the Sky
구름 속 엣지여행
Directors Pavel Karas and Tomáš Tichý · Brno Observatory and Planetarium
Astronomy & Space Science · Natural Science
A pilot, an astronomer, and a little girl share three perspectives on the sky. Glide over the Tatra Mountains, climb Patagonia's peaks, and rise to the very edge of the sky.
IP04-2 · United States · 2025 · 25:30 · Korean subtitles · recommended for teenagers
Encounters in the Milky Way
은하 속 별빛여행
Director Carter Emmart · American Museum of Natural History
Astronomy & Space Science
Discover the chance encounters that have shaped our place in the universe — a time-travelling journey through the cosmic movements that shape our galactic neighbourhood.
The same eight titles are screened for the general public at the Dome Film Festival Screenings on 12–13 September.
📝 Taking part
Applications closed — Applications closed on Friday 4 September 2026.
Places were limited to approximately 50. Applications were made by email, not through the museum's ticketing system.
| Application period | Monday 24 August – Friday 4 September 2026 |
| How to apply | Complete the application form and send it to uuuuvvvv@naver.com |
| Enquiries | +82-70-8820-0936 · Workshop Office |
After the closing date, please direct any enquiries about attending to the Workshop Office.
The workshop is conducted in Korean. International colleagues who would like to attend are welcome to contact the Workshop Office in advance.
Enquiry hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 09:30–17:30 (closed for enquiries 11:40–12:40). Korea Standard Time, UTC+9.