The organizing committee of the Jeonju International Film Festival signed an agreement Saturday with a local car dealership to create a best documentary award, the committee said.

Under the accord, Jin Motors, the Mercedes-Benz's official dealer in North Jeolla Province, will choose the winner from films screened in the festival's Korea Cinemascape and Korean competition sections, and award 10 million won ($8,285) in prize money.

The company will also provide six Mercedes-Benz cars for transporting VIPs and some 3,000 backpacks for film fans.

"We support what the Jeonju film festival aims to accomplish, and will aid it both materially and spiritually so that creative experiments with film can continue," said Lee Yong-gil, CEO of Jin Motors.

Lee Choong-jik, executive director of the festival, expressed thanks to the firm, saying that the new award will raise the value of the annual festival that showcases the latest indie and art-house films.

The 17th edition of the festival is scheduled to be held in the southwestern city of Jeonju from April 28 through May 7. (Yonhap)