Kim Yechan of Dong-A University Department of Media and Communication Wins 'BlackMagic Design' Award at Busan International Short Film Festival

"Restart" Wins the Operation Kino Award
Dong-A University Department of Media and Communication Produces Another Award Winner Following 2023

Dong-A University (President Lee Haewoo) announced that the short documentary "Restart," directed by Kim Yechan, a senior in the Department of Media and Communication, with participation from sophomores Kim Sujin, Park Seoyoung, and Bae Junhwa, received the "BlackMagic Design" Award in the Operation Kino section at the 42nd Busan International Short Film Festival (BISFF).

The festival, held from April 24 to 29, 2025, is the largest short film festival in Korea and has established itself as a platform for discovering new forms of short films produced by emerging domestic and international directors.

The award-winning film "Restart" is a documentary that sheds light on the reality of those who cannot leave their workplaces even after retirement, delivering a profound message about the value of labor and human life.

Director Kim Yechan stated, "It is a great honor to receive such a meaningful award for my first film. I am grateful to my juniors who worked with me and to my advising professor for their invaluable guidance. I hope that Dong-A University students will continue to confidently express their own stories in the future."

Professor Kwon Youngseong, who supervised the project, said, "I am proud of the students who quietly endured the long production process and achieved such a good result. I hope this award will serve as a solid foundation for their future."

The Operation Kino section is a documentary production support project co-hosted by the Busan International Short Film Festival, Jung-gu Office, and BlackMagic Design. This year, 7 out of 17 teams were selected as final production support recipients and competed for the award.

Last year, at the 40th Busan International Short Film Festival, the Department of Media and Communication at Dong-A University also achieved a double win when student Noh Hajin's work "Exit" received both the "Excellence Award" and the "Agora Award."

With this latest award, the Department of Media and Communication at Dong-A University has once again demonstrated its excellence in expanding the local visual culture base and fostering the next generation of creators.

Dong-A University.

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