Introducing 217 Films from 41 Countries
Closing Film: Mystery Drama "Dangol Sikdang" Directed by Han Jei
Special Retrospective on Lee Byung Hun and AI-Based Programs
The Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival (BIFAN) will be held throughout Bucheon from July 3 to 13 under the slogan "Stay Strange."
According to the festival's executive committee, this year's event will showcase 217 films from 41 countries. The lineup includes 103 feature films, 77 short films, 11 artificial intelligence (AI) films, and 26 extended reality (XR) films.
The opening film is "Finding Him," directed by Piotr Winiewicz. The story follows an investigation into a mysterious death in a fictional German city. By blending interviews, fiction, and actors' performances, the film breaks down genre boundaries and raises fundamental questions about the meaning and ethics of AI-driven artistic creation, as well as the uniqueness of humanity. It offers an in-depth reflection on the balance between humanity and technology in a creative environment increasingly dominated by AI.
The closing film will be the mystery drama "Dangol Sikdang," directed by Han Jei. The story revolves around a workaholic English teacher who teams up with local residents to search for her suddenly missing mother. The film highlights the importance of communication, trust, and community values in a modern society where individualism is prevalent. The cast includes Joo Hyunyoung, Kim Mikyung, Jung Yonghwa, Cha Woojin, Lee Sumi, Park Kyunghye, and Lee Taeyoung.
This year's festival will also feature a special retrospective on actor Lee Byung Hun. Ten of his most notable works, spanning a variety of genres, will be screened. Lee Byung Hun will meet audiences through a range of programs, including the opening ceremony, mega talk sessions, and stage greetings.
Last year, BIFAN became the first domestic film festival to focus on AI as a central theme, and this year, it will present even more advanced AI-based programs. An international AI conference will be held again this year, following last year's event, as part of a five-year goal to train 10,000 AI video content creators. The festival will also run the Fantasia Film School, an AI filmmaking workshop.
Shin Chul, Executive Director of BIFAN, stated, "Many say that Korean cinema is facing a very difficult situation due to YouTube and OTT platforms. Amid the crisis in the film industry, BIFAN will become a journey not of capital competition, but of competition in imagination and passion." Jang Mihee, Chairperson of the Bucheon Film Festival Organizing Committee, added, "We ask for your support and interest so that the sensibility and passion of young artists and filmmakers can be fully showcased."
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