The 39th Busan International Short Film Festival Kicks Off! ... UNESCO Creative City of Film Busan Begins Full-Scale Festival Season

Busan City Hall.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Hwang Du-yeol] The 39th Busan International Short Film Festival, part of UNESCO’s Creative Cities of Film Busan, will be held for six days from the 27th to May 2nd at the Busan Cinema Center and BNK Busan Bank Art Cinema Motungi Theater.

Sponsored by Busan City and hosted and organized by the Busan International Short Film Festival, the festival presents works under the theme of "Expanding Cinema," showcasing the evolving nature and infinite possibilities of film that has continuously changed.

During the festival, a total of 154 films from 48 countries will be screened, including 40 international competition finalists and 20 Korean competition finalists selected through the second preliminary round from 3,243 entries submitted from 111 countries.

The awards for the best works in each category and the results for 13 winners across 4 categories will be announced at the closing ceremony held at 7 p.m. on May 2nd.

Four films have been selected as opening films: "Quartet No. 1," "Deception of Online Education," "Winter Cicada," and "The Divers."

This year’s opening films, consisting of experimental films, documentaries, and feature films, cover a variety of themes ranging from intimate personal lives to social inequality in capitalist society.

The opening films will be unveiled at the opening ceremony held at 7 p.m. on April 27th at the Busan Cinema Center’s Medium Theater.

The opening performance will feature jazz performances by Lithuanian artists, the country of honor this year, combined with poetry recitations by Hwang Sok-yong, a master of Korean literature, and will take place during the opening ceremony.

Mayor Park Hyung-jun said, “I hope everyone enjoys meaningful time watching excellent works from around the world armed with challenge and experimental spirit at the Busan International Short Film Festival, which will unfold over six days under the theme of Expanding Cinema.”

For detailed information about the festival, including screening films and schedules, please visit the official website of the Busan International Short Film Festival. Tickets for screenings can be purchased on the Busan Cinema Center website and on-site.