Winners of NETPAC Award of

37th Busan International Short Film Festival

General Statement

Most of the films considered for this year’s NETPAC Award are powerful reflections of issues in today’s society, including concerns of women and children, war and violence. They explore the impact of such issues on the lives of individuals as witnessed and perceived by the directors. We’ve been most impressed with the way each film attests to the power and beauty of cinema by focusing on an individual. They successfully capture life—sometimes through compression and sometimes through a silent gaze. This year’s NETPAC Award is given to two films.

NETPAC Award (co-awarded)

Adam by Shoki Lin

This year’s NETPAC Award is co-awarded to Adam for its highly cinematic treatment given to a young boy’s life who is trying to find solace in the turbulent family life which is a common problem in the contemporary society. The film presents a truthful portrayal of the neglected child’s departure from home and journey to find a new family. The director focuses on the boy’s relationships with others rather than his psychology.

Tiger and Ox by Kim Seunghee

Starting from the story of a mother and a daughter, the film expands into a narrative about the lives of Korean women confined by the gaze of others. Created by powerful or delicate and beautiful lines, the images are more explosive than hundreds of words put together.​