The 13th Seoul Yeongdeungpo International Ultra Short Film Festival Opens... Despite COVID-19, a Record High of Over 2,900 Entries Submitted

September 7-12, 13th Seoul Yeongdeungpo International Ultra Short Film Festival Held... Record 2,900+ Entries... 256 Films Including Local Residents' Works Screened... 19 Awards in 18 Categories... Opening Ceremony (Sept 7) and Awards Ceremony (Sept 12) Held Online

[Asia Economy Reporter Jong-il Park] Yeongdeungpo-gu (Mayor Chae Hyun-il)’s representative cultural festival, the ‘2021 Seoul Yeongdeungpo International Ultra Short Film Festival,’ opens on the 7th.

Marking its 13th year, the ultra short film festival follows the theme “The most local is the most global.” The festival has inserted the name of the Yeongdeungpo region into the existing ‘Seoul International Ultra Short Film Festival’ title, aiming to develop it into a leading global cultural festival that connects local life and stories with the film festival.

In May this year, a contest was held for Yeongdeungpo residents to produce documentaries based on Yeongdeungpo. An ultra short film academy was also operated, allowing participants to experience the entire process of film theory education by professional instructors and mentors, production, submission, and screening.

To advance as a global film festival connecting the local and the world, programmers from the Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival in France and a Belgian film director were invited as judges.

The festival runs for six days from the opening ceremony on September 7th to the 12th. A total of 256 films will be screened, including ultra short films of 90 seconds and short films under 15 minutes, produced or starring famous domestic and international directors and actors, as well as films directly produced by Yeongdeungpo residents.

All side events such as the opening ceremony, awards ceremony, and audience talks will be held entirely online and non-face-to-face to prevent the spread of COVID-19. During the festival, screenings will also be available at CGV Yeongdeungpo.

All schedules will be conducted in strict compliance with quarantine guidelines, and reservations can be made through the CGV website. The admission fee is 6,000 KRW, with a 50% discount for Yeongdeungpo residents when purchasing tickets on-site.

The opening ceremony will be held at 7 p.m. on September 7th, and the awards ceremony at 7 p.m. on September 12th at CGV Yeongdeungpo. Videos of the opening and awards ceremonies will also be available on the festival’s YouTube channel the day after the events.

The opening films include works produced directly by Yeongdeungpo residents through the ‘Yeongdeungpo Ultra Short Film Academy’: ▲‘Mullae-dong Medley,’ which tells the story of a metal workshop in Mullae-dong ▲‘Fries Encounter,’ depicting the meeting between a Korean and a Belgian through French fries ▲‘Gap of Chrysanthemum,’ produced with the talent donation of actress Ok Ja-yeon ▲‘Fake Employment,’ an invited film commemorating the 120th anniversary of diplomatic relations with Belgium.

Films produced through the Ultra Short Film Academy will also be showcased, including ▲‘Spring, Buried in the Flower Road’ ▲‘Zero Won Market’ ▲‘Yeouido Pilot Apartment - Yeongdeungpo Architectural Cultural Heritage 3’ ▲‘Yeongdeungpo, Walking on Letters,’ totaling 19 short films that present Yeongdeungpo’s diverse charms, life stories, and deeply moving narratives.

At the awards ceremony, 19 works in 18 categories, including ultra short films, 90-second films, and the Ultra Short Film Academy, selected through domestic and international competitions, will be awarded.

Despite difficulties in domestic and international exchanges due to COVID-19, this year’s festival received a record-breaking 2,900 submissions, demonstrating strong interest and participation in the film industry.

The opening and awards ceremony videos and some screenings can be viewed for free in the online screening room on the ‘Seoul Yeongdeungpo International Ultra Short Film Festival’ website, where information on screening schedules and ticket reservations is also available.

Chae Hyun-il, Mayor of Yeongdeungpo-gu, said, “I hope this festival will overcome the barriers of COVID-19 and become a ‘glocal film festival’ that soothes many people’s weary hearts and provides deep emotion and resonance.” He added, “Since the festival name was changed this year to include the ‘Yeongdeungpo’ region, we will carefully prepare to fulfill the role of a film festival that conveys Yeongdeungpo’s profound charm and the meaning of life.”