BISFF 2015 to bring together Sweden’s past, present and future

32nd Busan International Short Film Festival’s Guest Country : Sweden

The 32nd Busan International Short Film Festival (BISFF) opens its doors at the Busan Cinema Center on April 24 with the program “Guest Country: Sweden”

As one of the main programs of BISFF, the Guest Country Program has been established in an effort to understand an individual nation’s various facets such as culture and society through various short films. Past guest countries were France in 2012, China in 2013, and Spain in 2014.

▶ A country that produces the most original films

▶ The country of master directors Ingmar Bergman and Jan Troell

▶ A country with over 100 years of film history

BISFF has selected Sweden as the guest country in 2015. Well known by super directors such as Ingmar Bergman and Roy Andersson, Swedish film is characterized by its Northern European humor and its controlled and polished style. This year, BISFF will enter a total of 21 short films from Sweden in 4 different sections. Swedish modern rock band “HUNT” will perform in the opening act, and in the “Swedish Cinema Concert,” which has been prepared for the first time this year.

1. Watch the past, present and future of Swedish short films at a glance!

This section has been specially designed to show the past, present and future of Swedish short films at a glance. The section “Swedish Classics” is especially meaningful, as it will screen for the first time in Korea 7 short films by world-renown directors.

'Swedish Classics' brings to Korea for the first time 7 short films by the best

in Sweden – Ingmar Bergman, Roy Andersson and Jan Troell.

“Swedish Panorama” will screen 7 of the best Swedish short films of the 2000s, showing off the unique and mysterious Swedish film formula.

“Swedish Humour” plans to present the audience with laughter and emotions through the 6 short comedy films selected by the Uppsala International Short Film Festival, the short film festival in Sweden.

'BISFF Talk' is a program in which directors from this year’s guest country Sweden and next year’s guest country Austria will have a chance to watch each others’ films and talk about their country’s short films. Patrik Eklund, who won the Canal + Award at the Cannes Film Festival in 2009, will appear as the Swedish director.

2. Swedish Post Rock Band HUNT!

Various events and performances have been prepared to celebrate the “Guest Country: Sweden”. Their debut album “Dark Come Sooner” a breath of fresh air in Sweden, the Swedish Post Rock Band “HUNT” plans to have their first Asian performance at the 2015 BISFF. Not only will HUNT perform in the opening ceremony, but they will also perform in the “Swedish Cinema Concert,” which will transport the audience to the beautiful and dreamlike tunes specific to Sweden. “Swedish Cinema Concert” is a new program established this year, allowing the audience and filmmakers to freely enjoy films and performances together.

It is also noteworthy that Niclas Gillberg, festival director of the Uppsala International Short Film Festival, is scheduled to give a talk on various aspects of Swedish short films.

This year, BISFF plans to cast a sharp eye on the topics of society and human philosophy, as well as present a diverse array of films with Scandinavian humour. Expectations mount as the festival hopes to create a meaningful fest where the audience can feel the power of the Swedish film.

The program “Guest Country : Sweden” is made possible by the support of the embassy of Sweden in Seoul, which hosts the Swedish Film Festival every year to spread Swedish culture in Korea. It is also made possible by the collaboration born of friendship and confidence with the Uppsala International Short Film Festival and the Swedish Film Institute.

 'Swedish Classics'

“Swedish Panorama”

“Swedish Humour”