NEWS & REPORTS
See Your Schedule
Ko - production in Busan
- Korean Film News
- Busan Film Festival Deputy Director KIM Ji-seok Passes
- by Pierce Conran / May 22, 2017
- BIFF Mourns the Death of Founding Member in Cannes
KIM Ji-seok, the deputy director and the executive programmer of Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) passed away on the evening of Thursday, May 18th during the Cannes Film Festival after suffering from a heart attack. Tributes poured in from festivals and filmmakers around the world to honor KIM, who was one of the original founders of BIFF.In a statement BIFF explained how “In undying efforts, contribution and devotion in discovery of Asian films, Kim led Busan International Film Festival to be the center of Asian cinema and one of world-class film festivals.”Born in Busan in 1960, KIM studied at the Busan National University which he graduated from in 1983 before receiving a master’s in film and theater from Joong Ang University in Seoul in 1990. He set up the Busan International Film Festival in 1996 along with founder and chairman KIM Dong-ho, former festival director LEE Yong-kwan and former deputy director Jay JEON. As a long-standing head programmer of the festival, KIM was credited with launching the careers of several prominent Asian filmmakers.The Korean Film Council (KOFIC) erected a memorial in its pavilion in the international village of the Cannes Film Market and will lead a tribute in his honor during their Korean Film Night reception on Monday night. KOFIC stated that “we sincerely mourn the loss of Busan deputy director Kim Ji-seok, who played an enormous role in the promotion of Korean and Asian films across the world.”The Cannes Film Festival issued a notice about KIM Ji-seok’s passing which stated in part that “He was a great professional and a great program organiser, always curious about everything - he saw every film there was to see. He was a fierce defender of Korean cinema, having accompanied the emergence of the new generation in his country.”
- Any copying, republication or redistribution of KOFIC's content is prohibited without prior consent of KOFIC.
