Director Lee Yeeun's "Baby!"
Selected for Korean Competition Section
at Busan International Short Film Festival
Director Lee Yeeun, a rising talent from the Gwangju Film School, has had her short film "Baby!" officially invited to the Korean Competition section at the 42nd Busan International Short Film Festival. The festival will screen the film twice, at 11:00 a.m. on April 24 and at 5:00 p.m. on April 26.
The Gwangju Film and Video Association stated on April 19, "Director Lee Yeeun began her directing career through the first short film production workshop at the Gwangju Film School. This invitation is a meaningful achievement that demonstrates both the results and the potential of film education in the Gwangju region."
"Baby!" was produced in 2024 with support from the Gwangju Independent Film Festival Gorilla Fund and is the second short film by a 2023 workshop graduate, following "ZIP!". The film has been praised for its dense narrative and unique aesthetic, characteristic of short films, as it delicately portrays the journey of a hikikomori protagonist venturing into the outside world through nuanced psychological depiction and a distinctive perspective.
The Busan International Short Film Festival, which began in 1980, is the first short film festival in Korea and has continued for over 40 years. Notably, the winner of the top prize in the competition section receives automatic qualification for the short film category at the Academy Awards, as the festival is officially recognized by the Oscars. It is regarded as a gateway for emerging directors both domestically and internationally. This year, a total of 5,350 films from 121 countries were submitted, and "Baby!" was selected as one of the 20 films in the Korean Competition section.
Chairman Lee Sanghun stated, "Director Lee's invitation is evidence that film education initiated in Gwangju is leading to tangible outcomes rather than being a mere experiment. As this demonstrates that films can be made and can grow in Gwangju, I urge the city of Gwangju and its citizens to continue their interest and support for local cinema."
Meanwhile, the Gwangju Film School is a program that provides education in film production and planning to young people in the Gwangju area, where there are no regular academic departments for film. Since 2018, it has been operated by the Gwangju Film and Video Association. This year as well, the program is scheduled to begin in May with support from the city of Gwangju and the Gwangju Information and Culture Industry Promotion Agency.
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