Gwangju City Council Holds 'Forum on Plans for Establishing a Movie Center'

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Jin-hyung] The Gwangju Metropolitan Council (Chairman Kim Yong-jip) held a forum and discussion session on the theme of "Dedicated Organization for Local Films and Plans for Establishing a Film Center" at 2 p.m. on the 31st in the council's Budget and Accounts Committee meeting room.

Co-hosted by the City Council and the Film and Video Artists Alliance, this forum was organized to review the current status of local films, share the necessity of a film center, and explore future establishment plans.

The presenter, Hong Seong-won, Secretary General of the Seoul Film Commission, gave a presentation titled "Why is a Dedicated Film Organization Necessary?" explaining the need and concept of a dedicated organization for local film policies and the role of film commissions in other regions. He cited examples of local ordinances that fall short of complying with the "Act on the Promotion of Films and Videos" as a point of concern.

Following this, Professor Kim Yi-seok of the Department of Film Studies at Dong-Eui University presented on the "Purpose and Necessity of a Local Film Center," using the Busan International Film Festival as an example. He emphasized the need for a film center in line with the establishment of a local film master plan and argued that the film center should serve as a space for rest and creativity for local residents.

In the discussion session that followed the presentations, participants including Yang Jong-gon, Vice Chairman of the Korea Film Council, Yoon Su-an, former director of the Gwangju Independent Film Theater, and documentary film director Lee Soon-hak engaged in a free discussion based on the forum presentations.

Kim Na-yoon, a council member (Democratic Party, Buk-gu 6) who chaired the discussion, stated, "A solid ecosystem must be established first for the development of the local film industry, but Gwangju still has many shortcomings." She added, "The City Council will do its best to establish a local film hub center that citizens can create and enjoy together."

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