UNESCO Creative City of Film Busan, Full-scale Film Festival Season Begins... Opening of the 40th Busan International Short Film Festival

From the 25th to May 1st, over a period of seven days, the 40th Busan International Short Film Festival will be held at the Busan Cinema Center and BNK Busan Bank Art Cinema Corner Theater, marking the official start of the film festival season for ‘UNESCO Creative City of Film, Busan.’

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Sponsored by Busan City and hosted and organized by the Busan International Short Film Festival, this festival, which began in 1980, celebrates its 40th edition this year. Under the theme ‘Cinema & Heritage,’ it examines the essential heritage of film art and presents works that showcase the transformative nature and infinite possibilities of cinema by reflecting on the past, present, and future of film art.

During the festival, a total of 146 films from 39 countries will be screened, including 40 films in the international competition and 20 films in the Korean competition, selected from 3,582 submissions from 113 countries.

This year’s opening films are three titles: ‘Children’s Car Race in Venice,’ ‘Space,’ and ‘How Do You Measure Your One Year?’ Comprising experimental films, documentaries, and narrative films, this year’s opening lineup addresses various messages and formats, including the festival’s theme, and will be unveiled at the opening ceremony held at 7 p.m. on the 25th at the Sky Theater of the Busan Cinema Center.

The country of honor this year is the United States, a central nation in film art. The program includes works by masters of silent comedy films Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton, films by Jay Rosenblatt, a leading director of American short documentaries, and a special screening of the most notable recent American short films curated by the Palm Springs International ShortFest. The opening ceremony will also feature performances by Busan rapper Jay Tong and the world-renowned artist Ark. Additionally, a festival introduction video featuring the virtual human ‘Ohana Editor-in-Chief,’ produced in collaboration with Galaxy Corporation, will be unveiled.

2023 Busan International Short Film Festival Ambassador Oh Hana.

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At the closing ceremony, held at 7 p.m. on May 1st, 13 award-winning films across four categories, including the Best Film awards in each section, will be announced.

Mayor Park Hyung-jun stated, “Under the theme ‘Cinema & Heritage,’ I hope everyone enjoys meaningful moments appreciating excellent works from around the world, armed with challenge and experimental spirit, during the week-long Busan International Short Film Festival.”

Detailed information about the festival, including screening titles and schedules, can be found on the official website of the Busan International Short Film Festival, and tickets can be purchased through the Busan Cinema Center website and on-site.

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