Bucheon Fantastic Film Festival, Korea's First AI Category Established

Opening on July 4... Presenting the Potential of 'AI Films'

The 28th Bucheon Fantastic Film Festival (BIFAN) announced on the 13th that it will be held from July 4 to 14 across Bucheon City.

This year, BIFAN is determined to expand its scope. In addition to the existing sectional screening programs, competition sections, and special actor showcases, a new AI (Artificial Intelligence) video category has been established.

Executive Director Shin Cheol said, "We plan to provide a platform for information and experience so that creators who have difficulty accessing large production capital can produce works with minimal budgets using AI," adding, "Based on BIFAN’s years of experience supporting new media exhibitions and productions such as VR, AR, and XR, as well as its international networking, we will attempt to broaden opportunities for discovering and educating young talent."

In the newly established ‘AI Film International Competition’ this year, works on various themes from around the world will be showcased. The festival is committed to selecting award-winning works by emphasizing the harmony between the technical aspects of AI, the artistic value of the works, and the inherent messages in the films, thereby presenting the potential of AI films.

A conference will also be held. Through the impact of AI video technology on the film industry and various overseas cases, new convergence ideas with related industries such as comics and webtoons will be proposed. A forum will be provided to present and discuss diverse opinions on global issues surrounding AI, including copyright and employment.

The AI film production workshop, held over 48 hours, offers individuals or teams of various professions and ages interested in AI video production the opportunity to collaborate. Participating creators will complete their works within a limited time through mentoring and practical experience from world-class mentors, and the completed films will be screened at the festival.