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The 2011 Busan International Film Festival (BIFF), Asia’s largest annual film festival, opened on Thursday, October 6th. The festival will run until October 14th. The BIFF, now celebrating its 16th year, is one of the most celebrated festivals in the country. Unlike other film festivals which put too much emphasis on competition winners, actors and actresses, BIFF promotes Busan as a film hub of Asia and focuses on promising film makers in Asia.
Compare 2010PIFF and 2011BIFF
This year marks the beginning of a new era for BIFF. A lot of changes have been made: First, the official name of the city was changed from Pusan to Busan, following the standard Romanization. Until last year, the festival was named Pusan International Film Festival (PIFF), but this year, it has become known as Busan International Film Festival (BIFF). In addition, the project market formerly known as Pusan Promotional Plan (PPP) has been renamed Asian Project Market (APM) and promises to be bigger and more colorful. APM is responsible for connecting and giving advice to film directors and producers so that the make better movies. Last year, the Korean movie “Si” (Poetry) which received an award at the 63rd Cannes Film Festival was a product of APM.
The Asian Film Market moved from its former location at Seacloud Hotel to BEXCO (Busan Exhibition and Convention Center) in Haeundae-gu as of 2011. The Asian Film Market opens this year with the BIFCOM (Busan International Film Commission & Industry Showcase) and the Asian Film Policy Forum.
Second, BIFF has moved to a new home, the Busan Cinema Center. Since the first official discussion took place in 2004, the Busan Cinema Center had been under construction since 2008 and was finally completed in September 2011. The Busan Cinema Center will function as the main venue for screenings and events for BIFF 2011.
Until last year, screenings were held at theaters in Haeundae and Nampo-dong. The moviegoers didn’t have easy access to the movie theaters since they were scattered in different places. Finding accommodations around the area was difficult, too. Now, the screening venue is in Haeundae where the Busan City Center is located. Screenings are also held at Centum City and other movie theaters in Haeundae.
Third, the reservation system is upgraded. BIFF introduces a new mobile web reservation system to meet the needs of the increasing number of Smartphone users. Last year, they introduced mobile web reservation but it was applicable to a special OS (Operating Systems) only. For easier access, a new system was developed for Smartphone users. Moviegoers can also make reservations thru a domestic portal site Daum (www. Daum.net). Tickets can no longer be bought at convenience stores such as GS25, but they available at the box office and can be paid via phone banking and Busan bank ATMs.
Lastly, programs for citizens have been expanded. A debate program has been set up where festival attendees can actively participate. Not only artistic professionals but also university students and citizen reviewers can engage in cinema discourse. A new award, the Student Award, is also launched this year. This award’s jury members are composed by university students.
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| A night view of the Busan Cinema Center, the new home of BIFF |
Kim E-seul seul_09@changwon.ac.kr
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