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Independent and Digital Films to Screen Jeonju Film Festival Opens April 23

By Kim Tae-jong
Staff Reporter
Since there are so many film festivals around the world, it might be hard sometimes to find differences between each film festival. Characterized as a festival of independent and digital films, however, the Jeonju International Film Festival (JIFF), which is holding its fifth event this year, tries to find its own identity.

"The main characteristic of the festival can be well summarized by our slogan, 'Freedom, Independence and Communication"', said Min Bung-lock, director of the JIFF. "So, we will basically provide the place for minor low-budget film makers to play their works and to have a chance to meet the audience who want to experience such unique films as independent and digital films, which can't be normally shown in local theaters".

Kicking off its 10-day festival from April 23 to May 2 in Chonju, North Cholla Province, the event will present about 220 films from 30 countries, opening with director Min Byeong-kook's debut film "Kanunghan Pyonhwadul" ("Possible Changes"), a story about friends who face the ambiguities of their lives.

The festival consists of two main competition parts to show independent and digital films and 16 other noncompetitive sections to provide visitors with more variety of movies under each section's theme along with other events such as filmmakers' master classes, outdoor performances, and Q&A session with directors.

Programmer Jung Soo-wan said, "Of course, our festival's personality will be well shown in the main competition parts and we've made several changes by abolishing or adding some sections this year. But, since it is a festival, we first hope that people will have fun and enjoy the films".

In the first main part Indie Vision, 14 independent films which differ from mainstream films but carry various and unique messages regardless of region or genre will be shown. To explore the technical and aesthetic application of digital media, the other competitive part Digital Spectrum will screen experimental films, animation works and web art.

The last year's Asian Independent Film Forum section has changed its name to Indie Vision to show independent films produced all over the world, and the Cinemascape section will include animation and documentary works as well as feature films this year. Titled "Collision & Continuity", the Korean Cinema section will be first introduced to examine the latest trends and personalities of local independent and feature films.

In the section Filmmakers Forum, films by three renowned cinematographers (Slavomir Idiak, Caroline Champetier and Jung Il-sung), will be shown as well as their seminars and lectures given for those who are interested in learning filming techniques and it's application.

Other sections include the Retrospective to Art Theater Guide, which shows Japanese experimental filmmaker's low-budget movies; Discovery: Cuban Cinema, which describes the present lives of Cubans in the post political era; and Digital Short Films by Three Filmmakers, whose movies were made by three Asian directors _ Bong Joon-ho, Yu Likwai and Ishii Sogo.

"We also hope that the festival can be a chance to think about latest movie trend and its industry to find a way for low-budget movies", said Kim Eun-hee, another programmer of the JIFF. "Although the recent success of local movies well shown in the two domestic films "Silmido" and "Taegukgi" having reached 10 billion viewer marks for the first time in the Korean film history, other low budget movies had to struggle to find places to be shown due to the two blockbuster movies' occupation and dominance on local theaters".

The main venues of the JIFF are Chonbuk National University's Cultural Center and four theaters in Cinema District. The screening schedule is available on JIFF' Web site. Tickets can be purchased on the Internet or at temporary ticket offices in Cinema District from April 8, and range from 5,000 to 10,000 won. All films will be shown with English subtitles.

Jeonju International Film Festival
When: April 23 through May 2

Where: Chonbuk National University's Cultural Center and four theaters in Cinema District in Chonju, North Cholla Province

How much: 5,000 won to 10,000 won

Info: (063) 288-5433, (02) 2285-0562 or www.jiff.or.kr

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