A total of 19 films supported by the Korean Film Council (KOFIC; Chairman Han Sang-jun) have been officially invited to the 31st Busan International Film Festival (BIFF).
KOFIC-supported films will meet audiences at the 31st BIFF, running from October 6 to 15. The 19 invited titles include works backed by the Mid-Budget Korean Film Production Support program, designed to revitalize Korean film production and restore a virtuous cycle in the industry; the Independent and Art Film Production Support program, which discovers fresh and original works and helps foster a stable creative environment; the Korean Film Next Project Development Support program, which helps production companies with proven development and production capabilities secure a stable environment for developing their next projects; and the Support for Participation in International Film Festivals and Project Events program, which supports the overseas promotion of Korean films and strengthens international co-production capabilities. Films from the Korean Academy of Film Arts (KAFA), established by KOFIC in 1984 and regarded as a gateway for emerging filmmakers, are also among the selections.
Notably, this year a KAFA feature has advanced to the Competition section for the second consecutive year, while works in a variety of formats, including documentaries and short films, have been selected for major sections. This shows that KOFIC's support broadly underpins the production of Korean films across diverse genres and formats.
A total of five KAFA films have been invited to the 31st BIFF this year. In the Competition section, which presents the currents of contemporary Asian cinema and the possibilities of new cinematic language, Beach Fictions (dir. Lim Hayeon), a work from the 19th cohort of KAFA's Feature Film Program, was invited. Following En Route To (dir. Yoo Jae-in) last year, this marks the second consecutive year that a KAFA film has entered Competition. After En Route To won the New Currents Award and the Best Actor award at the 30th BIFF, another KAFA film's entry into Competition this year highlights KAFA's track record in discovering emerging filmmakers and providing hands-on filmmaking education. In the Vision – Korea section, which introduces the latest independent films with outstanding artistry and original vision, Earbug (dir. Kim Hyomi) from the Feature Film Program's 16th cohort and The Flower (dir. Kim Si-jin) from its 15th cohort were invited. In the Wide Angle – Korean Short Film Competition, which showcases short films offering distinctive and differentiated visions, All of Her (dir. Kim Nam-hyeon) and Dear Sunshine (dir. Goo Jiyoon) from the 42nd cohort of the Regular Program were invited.
In the Gala Presentation section, a curated selection of globally acclaimed films, Dora (dir. July Jung) was invited. Previously selected for the Directors' Fortnight at the 79th Cannes Film Festival, Dora was backed by both the Mid-Budget Korean Film Production Support and the Support for Participation in International Film Festivals and Project Events programs, and will meet Korean audiences for the first time at this year's BIFF. Long Long Night (dir. Youm Kyubock), selected for Competition, is also a recipient of the Support for Participation in International Film Festivals and Project Events program and will vie for the Busan Award for Best Film.
The Korean Cinema Today – Panorama section, which introduces the latest contemporary Korean films of special appeal and stature, features four KOFIC-supported titles: Final Interview (dir. Kim Joung-hoon), supported by the Mid-Budget Korean Film Production Support program, and Still Shining (dir. Song Il-gon), SINNER (dir. Hong Sung-min) and The World Before (dir. Yoon Dan-bi), supported by the Independent and Art Film Production Support program. Sapiens (dir. Lee Hu-bin), a recipient of the Korean Film Next Project Development Support program, was invited to Korean Cinema Today – Special Premiere. In the Vision – Korea section, which presents the latest independent films with outstanding artistry and original vision, BALER (dir. Oh Sehyeon) and FULL MOON (dir. Jeong Jihye), both supported by the Independent and Art Film Production Support program, were invited.
The achievements of the Independent and Art Film Production Support program also stand out in the documentary sections. A total of five KOFIC-supported films were invited: Soundweave (dir. Yoon Juyoung), Can I Talk to You? (dir. Yi Seungjun) and A Woman Dancing on the Waves (dir. Choi Se-dam) in the Wide Angle – Documentary Competition, which highlights original forms and distinctive perspectives, and A Life of an Artist: Kwon Jinkyu (dir. Min Hwanki) and The Best Days (dir. Kim Byoungsoo) in the Wide Angle – Documentary Showcase.
KOFIC Chairman Han Sang-jun said, "It is meaningful that KOFIC-supported films have been invited evenly across the major sections of this year's Busan International Film Festival. In particular, KAFA's second consecutive Competition entry and the selection of production-supported films in major sections are achievements made possible by the efforts of creators together with the support of the Korean Film Council." He added, "We will continue to provide practical support so that creators can keep pursuing new endeavors, and expand the creative foundation of Korean cinema."
Published under Public Domain Mark (Korea Open Government License — Attribution). For further inquiries regarding this release, please contact the person in charge. Source: Korean Film Council (KOFIC) https://www.kofic.or.kr/kofic/business/board/selectBoardDetail.do?boardNumber=181&boardSeqNumber=75861
