38 works by academy graduates to be screened March 7-15 in Seoul and Busan
The Korean Academy of Film Arts will host its annual Graduation Film Festival March 7-9 at Megabox Seongsu in Seoul, with an additional screening day on March 15 at the Korean Film Council's headquarters in Busan, organizers announced Tuesday.
Under the slogan "Like a Movie," this year's festival will present 38 films from KAFA's latest graduates, offering audiences a first glimpse at Korea's emerging cinematic talents. The lineup includes 18 live-action short films, five short animations, seven feature-length animations, six feature-length live-action films and two demo productions from the KAFA Actors program.
Notable works include "First Summer" (Korean title: "Cheotyeoreum") directed by Huh Ga-young, a live-action short film that pairs 1970s star Heo Jin with actor Jung In-ki, and the short animation "Fantasy Theater" (Korean title: "hwan-sang-geuk-jang") directed by Han Sol-mi, a tale about a historic single-screen cinema in Wonju awaiting demolition.
The festival will also screen "Hana Meets Hana," directed by Kim Jung-byeon-ji, which won the best director award at the 20th San Diego International Kids' Film Festival, and "Tango at Dawn" directed by Kim Hyo-eun, a feature-length film previously invited to the 29th Busan International Film Festival's Korean Cinema Today section.
Over its 41-year history, KAFA has established itself as Korea's premier film academy. Acclaimed directors who got their start in the program include Bong Joon-ho, Uhm Tae-hwa of "Vanishing Time: A Boy Who Returned" and "Concrete Utopia," and Jang Joon-hwan of "Save the Green Planet!," "Hwayi" and "1987."
Screening times and tickets can be found on KAFA's official Instagram with options for advanced online booking and on-site purchases at the venue.
moonkihoon@heraldcorp.com
