Busan, South Korea – The 41st Busan International Short Film Festival (BISFF) is set to dazzle film enthusiasts from April 25th to April 30th at the Busan Cinema Center and the BNK Busan Bank Art Cinema Corner Theater. Celebrating the theme “Film & Reality,” this year’s festival will not only showcase a variety of short films that encapsulate modern cinematic techniques but also delve deep into the evolving intersections of cinema and reality.
This year’s festival introduces a significant change in its opening ceremony. For the first time since its inception, the opening films — “Dive” from Italy, “Cross My Heart and Hope to Die” from the Philippines, and “My Mother’s Story” from Korea — have been selected from the international and Korean competition entries rather than by invitation. This choice highlights BISFF’s dedication to featuring trailblazing and inventive short films. The selected films will debut at the opening ceremony, scheduled for 7:00 PM on April 25th at the Busan Cinema Center’s Sky Theater. Enhancing the cinematic experience, the event will also feature a captivating ‘Drone Drawing Performance Concert’ and a ‘Cine-Concert’ performed by renowned Italian pianist Giuseppina Torre.
Marking the 140th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and Italy, this year’s festival honors Italy as the guest country. Under the banner “Tiamo! Italia!” a diverse range of Italian short films will be featured, providing festival-goers with a deep dive into Italy’s rich cinematic culture. Beyond the spotlight on Italy, the festival continues to embrace a wide variety of international films through its Korea, Asia, Prism, and Special Screenings programs, showcasing 136 films from 43 countries out of a staggering 3,682 submissions from 116 countries.
BISFF also expands its educational horizons with new media cinema workshops and experiential spaces, allowing attendees to engage with emerging media and storytelling formats. Additionally, the festival continues its tradition of holding a special exhibition at the Cinémathèque Française in Paris, France, further establishing its status as a significant cultural gateway for Korean short films on the international stage.
The closing ceremony, scheduled for 7:00 PM on April 30th, will announce the winners of various categories, including the Grand Prix from the International and Korean Competitions. Notably, BISFF is the first Korean festival to receive official Academy accreditation, with winners in select categories being eligible for consideration at the American Academy Awards. Last year, BISFF was also uniquely highlighted by ‘Moviemaker’ magazine as the only Asian film festival on its ‘Worth the Entry Fee’ list.
As BISFF wraps up its 41st edition, it continues to play a pivotal role in promoting exceptional short films from around the world, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of the cinematic arts. The festival promises to be a thrilling six-day adventure of films, workshops, and performances that celebrate the art of short filmmaking.
