Latest news with #BISFF
Korea Herald
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Award-winning Korean short films set to screen at Paris cinematheque
Busan International Short Film Festival winners bring contemporary Korean cinema to Paris landmark Four award-winning Korean short films from the 41st Busan International Short Film Festival will screen at the prestigious Cinematheque Francaise in Paris, festival officials announced Monday. Scheduled for Monday at 7 p.m., local time, the special program marks the third consecutive year the festival has been invited to present its selections at the renowned Paris venue. The screening will take place in the Cinematheque's Jean Epstein room, named after the French avant-garde cinema pioneer. Leading the lineup is "My Mother's Story," the Grand Prix winner by directors Kim So-young and Jang Min-hee. The 15-minute animated short follows an elderly woman who fled her village during the Japanese occupation and the Korean War, with her daughter bringing her memories to life through animation. The jury lauded the film for turning a potentially tragic tale into one of resilience and hope. Kim Min-seong's "Summer Vacation" earned the Excellence Award for its exploration of family tensions on the 10th anniversary of a mother's death. The 27-minute drama centers on the fraught relationship between a young woman and her stepmother, and has drawn praise for its emotional depth. "Slaughter," directed by Yun Do-yeong, received the Jury Award for its take on ethical compromise and economic hardship. The 26-minute film follows Sangwoo, a young man working at a slaughterhouse, as he grapples with the moral costs of survival. The jury highlighted its naturalistic dialogue and sharply drawn characters. Rounding out the program is Lee Ha-no's "No Hair," which earned a Special Jury Mention for its comedic spin on body image insecurities. The 29-minute film explores fears about hair loss through what the jury called a 'simple and jovial narrative' that struck a chord with audiences. Founded in 1936 by film preservationist Henri Langlois, Cinematheque Francaise was instrumental in shaping the French New Wave. It remains a landmark of global cinephilia, hosting retrospectives and international programs year-round. Following the screening, BISFF artistic director Lee Sang-hoon will introduce the featured works and speak to the audience about the state of Korean short filmmaking today. Founded in 1980 as the Korean Short Film Festival, BISFF has since grown into one of Asia's premier showcases for short-form cinema. Backed by the city of Busan and operating independently from the Busan International Film Festival held each fall, the festival exclusively presents films under 30 minutes. BISFF is also a significant gateway to major awards. Winners may qualify for consideration in Academy Awards categories, as well as BAFTA and Canadian Screen Awards. 'BISFF remains the only short film festival in the world to hold regular screenings at the Cinematheque,' Lee said. 'It's a rare and meaningful platform, and we'll continue working to expand the reach of Korean cinema to audiences around the world.'
Korea Herald
21-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Busan International Short Film Festival returns with sound-focused theme
Country's first and logest running short film festival to spotlight art of sound in cinema South Korea's oldest and longest-running short film festival returns Thursday for its 42nd edition, featuring 157 films from 41 countries at Busan Cinema Center and BNK Busan Bank Art Cinema through April 29. This year's edition explores cinema's sonic elements under the theme "Cinema & Sound," focusing on dialogue, sound effects and music as core components of short films. The competitive lineup features two main categories: the International Competition with 40 entries from overseas and the Korean Competition showcasing 20 domestic works. The festival opens with three international selections: "Lanawaru," created by Colombian filmmaker Angello Faccini through collaboration with indigenous Amazon communities; "Across the Waters" from Berlin-based Chinese director Viv Li, set in a remote Chinese mining town; and "El Casco de Carlos" ("The Helmet") by Mexican director Franz Eichelmann Kaiser, which uses a US military helmet as a central motif to explore themes of loss along the Korean border. Wednesday's pre-festival performance at BNK Busan Bank's Ocean Hall will showcase Colombian dancer Jhonatan Jimenez, recipient of Colombia's Medal of Honor, presenting a blend of traditional and contemporary dance. Singer-songwriter Kim Sa-wol's music video will also screen during the event. Founded in 1980 as the Korean Short Film Festival, BISFF has established itself as a crucial platform for short cinema in the region. The festival receives backing from Busan City and operates independently from the larger Busan International Film Festival held each fall, focusing exclusively on films under 30 minutes. BISFF is also a significant gateway to major awards. Winners may qualify for consideration in Academy Awards categories, as well as BAFTA and Canadian Screen Awards.
