BISFF 2015 Smiles Big!

The 32nd Busan International Short Film Festival’s Final Press Release

- Grand Prix Winners: International Competition The Bigger Picture, Korean Competition Please, Operation Kino Anchang chinese restaurant -since 1987?

- NETPAC Award winner Ketchup

- Rise in audience and director satisfaction through GV (Guest Visit) for each film

- Successful takeoff as the hub of the Asian short film

The 32nd Busan International Short Film Festival, which began on Friday, April 24 closes its curtains on Tuesday, April 28. 

1. A change in screening to fit the short film

The biggest change of the Busan International Short Film Festival is the change in operation. In order to escape the limits of the short film, which could traditionally only be screened in groups, the festival prepared a break in between the screening of each film. Also, if there were to be a Guest Visit, it was done immediately after the screening. These changes were very well evaluated by the short film directors, and also brought great satisfaction to the audience.

2. Laughter that filled the festival

During the 5 days of the Busan International Short Film Festival, there was never ending laughter in the theaters throughout the screenings. The newly established “Shorts for Family” section was thoroughly enjoyed by the young and old alike, from children 7 years old to grandmothers in their 60s. Laughter was especially loud during the screening of Zebra, A Town Called Panic the Christmas Log, and Tigers Tied Up in One Rope.

The theaters were also full of laughter and suspense during the Guest Visits, BISFF Talk, and Program Guides, where participating directors and actors made witty comments and audience members asked piercing questions.

The “Swedish Cinema Concert” in collaboration with the opening film Dawn in a City without Name and the Swedish alternative post rock band HUNT was a huge success, attended by over 300 in audience. After the performance by HUNT, the band members, the audience, and even directors participating in the film festival created a rare sight in which they all danced together during a DJ party.

3. Listening to the voice of Asia

As the first Korean short film festival to enroll in NETPAC, the Busan International Short Film Festival established the NETPAC Award and invited 3 eminent Asian filmmakers to form the jury. The newly reorganized “Landscape of Asian Shorts” screened 7 films, of which 7 filmmakers from 3 different films visited the film festival. Visiting from China, Taiwan, Singapore, Japan, Indonesia, etc., they were able to share information about each of their country’s short film platforms and short film festivals throughout the festival period, as well as during the “Open Talk” program. They were also able to discuss the plans for future progress and methods to boost Asian short films. They promised to continue further exchanges about Asian short films centered on the Busan International Short Film Festival.

The 32nd Busan International Short Film Festival held 52 screenings of 130 films from 34 countries, and the audience share increased 2.9% from last year (47.2% in 2014) to 49.8%.

It also came closer to the audience through 20 Guest Visit (GV) sessions and 3 Program Guide (PG) sessions.

Thank you for your support and interest in the 32nd Busan International Short Film Festival. Your support this year will help us bring even better films in April 2016.