The Korea International Expat Film Festival is returning for a second run this year and seeking film lovers to help review the submissions.

Last year, KIXFF screened 48 films by and about expats from around the world over four days, along with Q&As with directors and other events.

The organizers are expecting more submissions this year, and are looking to see how they can make the festival better.

“Last year we had four days, 50 films and I think that’s going to be about the same,” said Kevin Lambert. “We are not trying to be bigger. We are just trying to be more sophisticated.”

Part of this is to provide feedback for the directors. Those who volunteer will rate the submissions and provide comments, which will be used to select the films that are chosen for screening and to let the filmmakers know how they were received.

“What I feel is the important thing about our festival is that the filmmakers actually get the feedback. Not every festival does that,” said Lambert, adding that sometimes filmmakers would submit a film and not know why it was not accepted.

“Was it not accepted because it was too long? Too short? They didn’t like the content? The sound was bad? Maybe it didn’t fit the theme or maybe they wanted to put it in but there just wasn’t enough space.

“We want to give the filmmaker this kind of feedback so they can make corrections, so they have some awareness of why their film didn’t get in. I think that’s something that filmmakers really find valuable.”

Lambert added that there were benefits to involving the general viewing public in the review process.

“These are the same people that would show up to the screenings, the same people who would show up to tech screenings for studios, and we are giving those people a chance to express how they see these different films,” he said.

Lambert said that people with filmmaking experience would be involved, but as program directors.

“So we then make our selections from the feedback we get from the reviewers,” he said. “We want to be able to sift through them and give the filmmakers as much feedback as we can offer, and then make our selections based on theme, quality of material, running time, et cetera.”

The festival is slated to take place in September, but submission reviews will run until July. Those wanting to join the review process will be asked to watch an average of about one hour of film a week in English or Korean. Workshops will be held for volunteers to explain the grading and review process.

The festival is still accepting submissions, with the regular deadline of March 1.

More information is available at kixff.com.

By Paul Kerry (paulkerry@heraldcorp.com)