The 2nd Seongbuk Cheongchun Bulpae Film Festival Director Lee Da-hyun's 'Mudfish' Wins Grand Prize

Chairman of the Film Festival Organizing Committee, Lee Seung-ro, Mayor of Seongbuk-gu (fourth from the left in the front row), and the award recipients took a commemorative photo.

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Seongbuk-gu (Mayor Seungro Lee) and Seongbuk Cultural Foundation (CEO Geonwang Lee), hosted and organized the 2nd Seongbuk Youth Invincible Film Festival, sponsored by the Korean Film Council, concluded its six-day journey.

With a total of 806 preliminary entries showcasing the festival's intense interest, 30 films advanced to the finals and competed fiercely. Director Dahyun Lee's "Mudfish" won the grand prize. "Mudfish" is a work depicting a boy's growing pains on a summer day, praised for its lyrical visuals and the stable acting of the child actor.

The Special Jury Prize was awarded to Director Dayoung Lee's "Time to See the Sun." The film received unanimous support from the jury for its ability to warm the hearts of viewers, and actress Yeji Kim, who delivered an outstanding performance, won the Best Acting Award, earning a double crown.

The Excellence Awards went to Director Sunyoung Hwang's "City Bag" and Director Haeil Jeong's "The The The." Newly established this year, the Audience's Gaze Award and Vision Award were given to Director Taegu Jang's "Time Nowhere" and Director Minjae Kim's "Final Assignment (Late Submission)," respectively. The Technical Award was given to Editor Jiyoon Han for "Dunnae-myeon Imgok-ro," and the Audience Award, chosen directly by viewers during the festival, went to Director Jiwoo Lee's "One Heart." Winners received a total prize money of approximately 14 million KRW.

Judges Yeonwoo Nam, Kyungwon Song, and Garam Han unanimously highlighted "diverse formats as well as broad thematic awareness and unique individuality within various subjects," describing the festival as "a film festival where one can encounter gem-like works that reflect stories needed in our era and the honest concerns of youth."

Seungro Lee, Mayor of Seongbuk-gu and Chairman of the 2nd Seongbuk Youth Invincible Film Festival Organizing Committee, expressed gratitude, saying, "Despite being only the second event, the Seongbuk Youth Invincible Film Festival has established itself as a representative festival for young filmmakers. We thank everyone for their great interest and support," and promised, "We will grow into a richer and more diverse event next year."