Bucheon Choice: Features
- Best of Bucheon | The Last Stop in Yuma County (Directed by Francis Galluppi)
- Best Director Choice | Strange Darling (Directed by JT Mollner)
- Jury’s Choice | Suffocating Love (Directed by Liao Ming Yi)
- Audience Award | The Last Stop in Yuma County (Directed by Francis Galluppi)
Bucheon Choice: Shorts
- Best Short Film | I’m Not a Robot (Directed by Victoria Warmerdam)
- Jury’s Choice for Short Film | Help, I’m Alien Pregnant (Directed by THUNDERLIPS)
- Audience Award for Short Film | Meat Puppet (Directed by Eros V)
Bucheon Choice: AI Film
- Best AI Film | Where Do Grandmas Go When They Get Lost? (Directed by Léo Cannone)
- Best Technical Achievement | Snowfall (Directed by Bae Jun-won)
¡Ø Bucheon Choice: AI Film Jury’s Special Mention | Latex Kid (Directed By Fran Gas), One More Pumpkin (Directed by Kwon Hansl)
- Audience Award | Snowfall (Directed by Bae Jun-won)
Korean Fantastic: Features
- Korean Fantastic Film | Esper’s Light (Directed by Jung Jae-hoon)
- Korean Fantastic Best Director | Idiot Girls and School Ghost: School Anniversary (Directed by Kim Min-ha)
- Fantastic Actors (2 winners) | Kim Daegun – The Tenants, Park Ju-hyun – You Will Die in 6 Hours
- Korean Fantastic Audience Award | You Will Die in 6 Hours (Directed by Lee Yun-seok)
- Nonghyup Award | Base Station (Directed by Park Syeyoung, Yeon Yeji)
¡Ø Korean Fantastic Jury’s Special Mention | Pig That Survived Foot-and-Mouth Disease (Directed by Hur Bum-wook)
- Watcha’s Pick | Idiot Girls and School Ghost: School Anniversary (Directed by Kim Min-ha)
Korean Fantastic: Shorts
- Best Korean Short Film | Lovers on Friday Night (Directed by Park Yong-shin)
¡Ø Korean Fantastic Short Jury’s Special Mention | Circle (Directed by Joung Yumi)
- Audience Award for Korean Short Film | MM, UH, OH, AH (Directed by Choi Na-hye)
Méliès International Festivals Federation(MIFF) Award for Best Asian Film
- Steppenwolf (Directed by Adilkhan Yerzhanov)
NETPAC Award
- Who’ll Stop the Rain (Directed by Su I-hsuan)
Odd Family Award
- Pigsy (Directed by Chiu Li Wei)
Commentary
Bucheon Choice: Features
As the four jurors representing Japan, the United States, and Korea, coming from different cultural backgrounds and experiences, we enjoyed the opportunity to watch the eight films of Bucheon Choice together. As much as we enjoyed this cinematic journey filled with diverse films created in various formats—from 33mm to iPhone—we would like to express that it was challenging to select the winners.
With great acclaim, we would like to announce an honorable mention,
Respati, a high-quality horror film full of cinematic energy. Furthermore, we appreciate
, a zombie film that crosses the border between life and death. It stood out for its excellent cinematography and powerful direction as it slowly unfolded. In addition, Cuckoo! is a thriller that stands out for its original material and excellent directing. Oddity, which provided fresh genre pleasure, and Tatsumi, an intense action noir, deserve mention from the jurors as we express our enthusiastic support and gratitude. Although they did not win the award, they are all great films.
¢º Best of Bucheon | The Last Stop in Yuma County (Directed by Francis Galluppi)
The film portrays a series of unforeseen events occurring in a small restaurant specializing in the sale of “rhubarb pie” adjacent to a secluded gas station in Arizona. The narrative intricately delves into the lives of the characters, offering a profound exploration of the multifaceted aspects of human nature as serendipitous events and aspirations intersect. At times, the characters traverse the boundary between righteousness and malevolence. This poignant portrayal deeply resonated, providing an exceptionally remarkable and emotionally stirring experience.
¢º Best Director Choice | Strange Darling (Directed by JT Mollner)
The film reminded us of films of the 1990s, characterized by violence and chaos. Its compelling and stylish characters provide a captivating experience for viewers. The film immerses the audience in an exhilarating and engaging narrative, challenging genre and character stereotypes and subverting implicit bias. We look forward to the director's future projects with great enthusiasm.
¢º Jury’s Choice | Suffocating Love (Directed by Liao Ming Yi)
The jury members expressed a positive and emotionally moving response as they reminisced about their youth while watching this film. The protagonist's profound journey towards self-acceptance and embracing love for others was portrayed with great sensitivity. Furthermore, depicting a parallel world filled with cinematic charm unfolds like the narrative of "A Midsummer Night’s Dream.”
¢º Audience Award | The Last Stop in Yuma County (Directed by Francis Galluppi)
Bucheon Choice: Shorts
We are grateful for the rich diversity showcased in this year’s Bucheon Choice: shorts section, making the selection of winners a challenging task. As an enthusiast of genre films, I am appreciative of the outstanding quality of the entries. From the narrative of a pregnant woman giving birth to an alien to the portrayal of a loving couple gradually exfoliating their skin, these films left an indelible impression and sparked inspiration. Beyond the competition, I extend my heartfelt appreciation to all the directors, actors/actresses, and film crews for delivering an exceptional screening. Anticipating the future release of innovative films, I extend my thanks.
¢º Best Short Film | I’m Not a Robot (Directed by Victoria Warmerdam)
I am not a Robot is a creative film that incorporates the idea of a CAPTCHA test into daily life. The narrative of the film may seem like ridiculous science fiction; however, detailed directing and excellent acting engage the audience with the film. This film poses a fundamental and weighty question - “What is a human being?” - while providing laughs in the bizarre situation as a black comedy.
¢º Jury’s Choice for Short Film : Help, I’m Alien Pregnant (Directed by THUNDERLIPS)
Help, I'm Alien Pregnant is a highly entertaining and boldly creative work that leaves the audience curious about what will happen next. Through its absurd and fantastical storyline, it reflects the struggles and anxieties of nurturing the next generation. The final line of dialogue at the end marks the true beginning of the character's challenges. Overall, delivering a perfect blend of humor and intrigue!
¢º Audience Award for Short Film : Meat Puppet (Directed by Eros V)
Bucheon Choice: AI Film
In 2024 the Bucheon Fantastic Film Festival took a bold step towards supporting the future of artistic and cinematic creation as a first film festival in Korea an one of the pioneers among global film festivals to host the AI film competition.
We, the jury, were astounded by the high quality of the programming of the competition, the narrative coherence, the emotional impact and the technical quality of the films we saw in this pioneering competition program, especially understanding that AI technology is taking first steps.
We hope and foresee that this unique competition program and the winners of the inaugural edition will thus not only advance the visual storytelling but will democratize and demystify AI filmmaking and will unleash its potential to the Korean and global filmmaking community as well powering unique artistic voices yet to be heard and seen.
¢º AI Best AI Film | Where Do Grandmas Go When They Get Lost? (Directed by Léo Cannone)
¢º Best Technical Achievement | Snowfall (Directed by Bae Jun-won)
¡Ø Bucheon Choice: AI Film Jury’s Special Mention | Latex Kid (Directed By Fran Gas), One More Pumpkin (Directed by Kwon Hansl)
¢ºAudience Award | Snowfall (Directed by Bae Jun-won)
Korean Fantastic: Features
In BIFAN 2024, the jurors saw a wide range of talent and creativity in Korean genre films this year. The films covered a variety of themes, genres, and formats, with each film offering something unique and engaging for the audience. The directors demonstrated their unique styles and made significant efforts to meet the audience’s expectations. Some films showcased imaginative and daring formats with powerful energy, while others displayed simple yet sophisticated storytelling, creating a sense of balance and comfort. While some films lacked details and refinement, they still reflected the directors’ genuine passion for their work. The jurors believe that these films, which explore various aspects of Korean society with humor and entertainment, are invaluable assets that point to a bright future for Korean genre films.
¢º Korean Fantastic Film | Esper’s Light (Directed by Jung Jae-hoon)
What kind of philosophical perspectives and attitudes can we attribute to the concept of “The World of Cinema?” Esper’s Light boldly deconstructs the internal and external boundaries of cinema, encouraging viewers to adopt a radical perspective. The film introduces a new and thought-provoking narrative characterized by a unique composition, language, and direction, seamlessly blending the realities and fantasies of adolescents as portrayed in both documentary and fiction. Moreover, it skillfully integrates elements from games and online communities into its storytelling.
¢º Korean Fantastic Best Director | Idiot Girls and School Ghost: School Anniversary (Directed by Kim Min-ha)
Idiot Girls and School Ghost: School Anniversary is brimming with humor as it presents the essential charm of the comedy genre, incorporating and playing with various genres. We appreciate director Kim Min Ha for showcasing his passion and love for the comedy genre in this film. We are eagerly looking forward to his next film.
¢º Fantastic Actors (2 winners) | Kim Daegun – The Tenants/Park Ju-hyun – You Will Die in 6 Hours
¡Ø Korean Fantastic Jury’s Special Mention | Pig That Survived Foot-and-Mouth Disease (Directed by Hur Bum-wook)
In the realm of Korean cinema, there exists a noticeable void within the animation sector. Independent animation, an undertaking forged amidst challenging circumstances, serves to fill this void, and we need to appoint considerable recognition and support to their perseverance. Director Heo Bum-wook’s work on exemplifies an acute portrayal of reality through masterful artistry. This animated production transcends mere real footage, encapsulating profound emotions of wrath and despair, a testament to Director Heo’s exceptional drawing and determination. The members of our jury earnestly hope that the audience will wholeheartedly engage with his compelling message.
¢º Korean Fantastic Audience Award | You Will Die in 6 Hours (Directed by Lee Yun-seok)
¢º Nonghyup Award : Base Station (Directed by Park Syeyoung, Yeon Yeji)
The film Base Station, directed by PARK Syeyoung and YEON Yeji, successfully demonstrates the potential of expanding a limited narrative through a simple yet innovative concept. Infused with elements of SF black comedy, the film offers unconventional approaches to presenting unprecedented visual experiences to the audience. Recognizing the film’s true value in the theatrical setting, the jurors advocate for introducing this experimental work to the public audience.
¢º Watcha’s Pick : Idiot Girls and School Ghost: School Anniversary (Directed by Kim Min-ha)
Korean Fantastic: Shorts
We are grateful for the rich diversity showcased in this year’s Bucheon Choice: shorts section, making the selection of winners a challenging task. As an enthusiast of genre films, I am appreciative of the outstanding quality of the entries. From the narrative of a pregnant woman giving birth to an alien to the portrayal of a loving couple gradually exfoliating their skin, these films left an indelible impression and sparked inspiration. Beyond the competition, I extend my heartfelt appreciation to all the directors, actors/actresses, and film crews for delivering an exceptional screening. Anticipating the future release of innovative films, I extend my thanks.
¢º Best Korean Short Film | Lovers on Friday Night (Directed by Park Yong-shin)
¡Ø Korean Fantastic Short Jury’s Special Mention | Circle (Directed by Joung Yumi)
¢º Audience Award for Korean Short Film | MM, UH, OH, AH (Directed by Choi Na-hye)
Méliès International Festivals Federation(MIFF) Award for Best Asian Film
Steppenwolf (Directed by Adilkhan Yerzhanov)
Steppenwolf by Adilkhan Yerzhanov, starring Berik Aitzhanov and Anna Starchenko, is a highly provocative, ultra-violent, moving, and at times even funny painting of a classical revenge tale as an existentialist exercise. Beautifully filmed and fantastically choreographed, the film explores the desolation and brutality of human conflict in a stark village setting.
Aitzhanov delivers a powerful performance as Martin, a man caught in a cycle of vengeance, while Starchenko’s resilient Maria adds depth to the narrative. The film’s intense violence is balanced by dark humor and visually stunning choreography, creating a captivating and tense atmosphere.
‘Steppenwolf’ is a profound exploration of revenge and existentialism, challenging viewers to reflect on the nature of violence and the human condition. It is a standout entry in this year’s BIFAN lineup, leaving a lasting impression.
NETPAC Award
Who’ll Stop the Rain (Directed by Su I-hsuan)
Who'll Stop the Rain set in Taiwan, in 1994, a longest running strike in Taiwan’s history of student activism, a female student joins a strike at the Department of Fine Arts of Chinese Culture University and encounters her first love. During the protest, Chi-wei (Lily Lee) is slowly attracted to Ching. As passionate protest also leads to her personal desires, she began to experience an unexpected love.
The NETPAC jury decided to give the award to Director Yi-Hsuan Su’s film for telling a great romantic political drama. The director captured the protagonist's coming-of-age, self-discovery journey, an inner fight for self-awakening story very successfully.
Odd Family Award
Pigsy (Directed by Chiu Li Wei)