Guro International Children's Film Festival GUKIFF Contribution Award Actor Award Actor Kang Shin-il Honored

The 9th Seoul Guro International Children's Film Festival Concludes Successfully... Red Carpet, Awards Ceremony, and Closing Declaration Held on the 7th at Sindorim Technomart Grand Ballroom

[Asia Economy Reporter Jong-il Park] The 9th Seoul Guro International Children’s Film Festival concluded its week-long celebration of cinema with a closing ceremony held on the 7th at the Sindorim Technomart Grand Ballroom.

To prevent the spread of COVID-19, the ceremony was attended by a minimal number of people and was also broadcast live on the festival’s official website.

The event, hosted by announcer Byunghee Lee, singer and actor Donggeun Yang, and former announcer Sumin Ahn, proceeded with congratulatory videos from festival officials, highlights of the main competition films, the awards ceremony, and the closing declaration. Actors Shin-il Kang, Mi-young Lee, and Darsi Parket walked the red carpet wearing masks, while the Rainbow Choir, Sunhwa Lim, and Jina Lee performed celebratory shows.

Under the slogan “Redrawing Generations,” this year’s festival received 2,130 submissions from 98 countries. Among these, 187 works (42 feature films and 145 short films) that passed the preliminary screening were judged online by the jury panel and finally selected as award winners.

First, the newly established GUKIFF Contribution Award, Special Contribution Award, and Audience Award were presented.

The GUKIFF Contribution Award, prepared to honor those who have contributed to the prosperity of children’s films, awarded the Producer Award to Jihye Kim, CEO of the film company Ato, the Director Award to director Ga-eun Yoon, and the Actor Award to actor Shin-il Kang.

The Special Contribution Award, given to sponsors who have greatly contributed to the development of the children’s film festival, was awarded to Wonil Lee, CEO of Polmade, for providing quarantine supplies.

The Audience Award, selected by popular vote, was given to the film “Find Mary.”

In the feature film Kids Vision category, the Actor Award went to Run In Bye from “Hello! Tapir,” the Director Award to Maye Zayed for “Girls Who Lift the World,” and the Vision Award to Taufiq Baba for “Oliver Black.” In the feature film Kids Focus category, the Actor Awards were given to Yuha Jo for “Don’t Save Me” and Youngju Son for “Nineteen,” the Director Award to Minpyo Kwon and Hansol Seo for “Terminal,” and the Focus Award to Jaeeun Lee and Jiseon Lim for “Kim Minyoung of the Report Card.”

In the short film Kids Creative category, the Actor Awards were given to Noihan for “Changjin’s Heart” and Giulina Ardente for “Mira.” The New Director Awards went to Yongcheon Kim for “Hello, Bushman,” Mozztaba Rostami Far for “Messi,” and Dalli Kim for “Because of Hanna.” The Director Award was given to Yuan Yuan for “Towards the South,” and the Creative Award to Gu Yongjeong for “Changjin’s Heart.” In the short film Kids Challenge category, Talent Awards were given to international works “Conversation with E” (director Isabella Strickland), “Traveling Wind” (directed by students of IKA Pui IMA Private School, Brazil), and “The Fourth Sense” (director Pablo Iranzo Pineda), as well as domestic works “What Happened in the Broadcasting Room” (director Yunsul Yang), “The Double Life of a Little Witch” (director Naonyu), “Anyone Can Shine” (director Onggolchan Cine de Daeyeon), “Zombie Escape” (director Yumin Kim), “A Special Day of Yoksalhae” (director Danyoung Jo), “Please Don’t Tease Me” (director Seoyoon Kim), “I’m Happy” (director Yuna Kim), and “Cells of the Environment” (director Yesul An). The Challenge Awards went to “Be Free” (director Hugo Jere) and “King of Dodgeball” (director Wise Elementary Life). The Children’s Executive Committee Award was given to “King of Dodgeball.”

In the GUKIFF Content Lab category, post-production support was awarded to “Hello, Slipper” (director Bitareum Jung) and “Nocturnal” (director Jisoo Park), while pre-production support was given to “Nameless” (director Doyoung Ahn).

During the festival, various side events were held. These included problem forums where panelists discussed social issues related to children after film screenings, GUKIFF Talks, GV (audience talks), roundtables, a kids’ poster exhibition at the Seoul Life Culture Center Sindorim, and GUKIFF experience booths at Sindorim Technomart featuring activities such as making movie characters, special makeup experiences, and mask making.

Lee Sung, Chairman of the Festival Organizing Committee and Mayor of Guro District, said, “By conducting the opening ceremony and screenings online to prevent COVID-19, the festival opened a new horizon,” and added, “We support children to actively draw their own world.”

Executive Director Han-ki Kim stated, “Adults must feel responsible and protect children who have the right to be protected,” and expressed hope that “next year’s festival will be held where everyone can gather and enjoy together.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.