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Docs Port Incheon 2014 which aspires to improve the documentary filmmaking environment took place during a course of 5 days from Nov. 1st, 2014 at the Paradise Hotel Incheon. The success of the 8 Korean documentary project ‘Documentary Pitching Forum 2013’ from last year inspired two additional programs this year: the pan-Asian project ‘Asia Documentary Pitching(A-Pitch)’ and ‘Rough Cut Sales’ which supports sales and business opportunities including investment, release and distribution of unfinished documentary projects. Awards, in-kind support and other funds totaling up to KRW 600 million provided new prospects for Korean documentaries suffering from the lack of industrial support and investments despite their international acclaim.  

Selected projects underwent mentoring and training before participating in the 15 min pitching session structured in a presentation and a Q&A format. Pitches were followed by business meetings arranged for each project, and by pre and on-scene requests, a total of 243 meetings took place. Through this entire experience, participants were able to acquire actual business opportunities and find practical reference points.

The international panel and investors included Yves JEANNEAU, CEO of Sunny Side of the Doc, Catherine OLSEN, Executive Producer(Documentaries) of Canada’s CBC News Network, Esther van MESSEL, CEO of Swiss distribution company First Hand Films, and IMAMURA Kenichi, Executive Producer of NHK Enterprises who all commented that “although it’s the first year, the variety and quality of projects are amazing”, while complimenting the overall management and processes of Docs Port Incheon. Especially IMAMURA Kenichi, Executive Producer of NHK Enterprises who suggested collaboration with Tokyo Docs, expressed that “It’s promising to see Korean broadcasters’ seek and work with independent producers’ projects during the festival”. 

 

The local and international documentary filmmakers who attended this year’s Docs Port Incheon all agreed that it acted as “an actual business platform for documentary filmmakers in both film and TV”. On the other hand, producer KIM Min-chul of Wind on the Moon expressed wistfulness as he critiqued, “for Korean documentaries to take a step further into the global arena, diversity in subject matter is necessary. When you take a look at the projects in this event, subject matters are still focused on people with disabilities and the elderly. Eventually international partners will lose interest in Korean documentaries if this continues”.

Response to the overall event was quite positive. Docs Port Incheon 2014 programmer JO Ji-hoon emphasized the significance of the event by explaining “Docs Port Incheon 2014 is the first documentary event where Korean TV producers and filmmakers have participated”. Adding that although the industrial structure of Korean documentaries may be weak for now, with the help of events like this, there is hope for a healthier structure to set roots in the future. And with the success of this year’s market, JO expressed his wish for Docs Port Incheon to be “’a place of communication and exchange’ where Asian documentary filmmakers can come to Korea to actively network and create collaborative projects together”.

 

 

 

Docs Port Incheon 2014 – Awards & In-kind Support & Funds winners
Best Korean Project (KRW 30 million), After Two Doors
Best Asian Project (KRW 30 million), My Dear Lines
Best Rough Cut Project (KRW 10 million), Factory Complex
Doc Spirit Award Korea (KRW 20 million), Military Play
Doc Spirit Award Asia (KRW 20 million), God BLISS Our Home
Best Young Korean Director’s Project (KRW 10 million), Evaporated
KCA& Funding 21(KRW 10 million), The Stranger
L’ARBREVERT Korea Award (KRW 5 million), An Omnivorous Family’s Dilemma
Sunny Side of the Doc Award (entry fee, accommodations, round trip ticket support), The Wolf in the Fence
Doc Edge Award (entry fee, accommodations support), Four Seasons, Mal-hae
 The Priestess Walks Alone
SJM Cultural Foundation Fund (KRW 3 million) A Corner Shop
 (KRW 5 million) After Two Doors
In-Kind Support/Theatrical Release Support (securing a 2 week theatrical release for completed films) Jin Jin Pictures and Arthouse Momo for Evaporated, Indiespace for Four Seasons, Mal-hae, Artnine for After Two Doors, CGV Arthouse for Project Emergency Rations