The Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival (BIFAN) officially opens its doors today, bringing 10 days of cinematic wonder to the city of Bucheon.
📍 Opening Night at Bucheon Art Center
The 29th edition of BIFAN launches on July 3 at 7 PM (KST) at the Bucheon Art Center. Actor Kang Seok-woo hosts the ceremony, which includes a red carpet event, photo wall, and official opening declaration. A total of 103 filmmakers and industry guests—including committee chair Jang Mi-hee—are expected to attend.
🎥 A Genre-Fueled Celebration of 217 Films
This year's lineup features 217 films from 41 countries:
- 103 feature films
- 77 short films
- 11 AI-created films
- 26 XR (Extended Reality) experiences
Continuing the slogan "Stay Strange" (introduced in 2021), BIFAN reaffirms its identity as a festival that champions unconventional talent and boundary-pushing genre films.
🧠 Opening Film Created with AI
The opening film is Finding Her (2024), directed by Piotr Winiewicz, a Polish filmmaker based in Denmark. The story was developed by training AI on the screenwriting style of German cinema legend Werner Herzog. The film explores the ethical and creative implications of AI in the world of art.
🎬 Closing Night, Special Showcases & More
The closing film is Regular Diner (2025), directed by Han Jae-i, starring Joo Hyun-young and Kim Mi-kyung. It follows a workaholic English teacher who searches for her missing mother with the help of quirky neighborhood locals.
This year's Actor Spotlight honors Lee Byung-hun under the theme The Master: Lee Byung-hun. Ten of his iconic films—including Joint Security Area, A Bittersweet Life, and The Man Standing Next—will be screened.
A Director Retrospective titled Kim Tae-yong: The Warmth of Perspective will celebrate the filmmaker's work, marking the book releases of Kokdu: A Story of Guardian Angels (2019) and Her Legend (2015).
📅 Festival Venues & Screenings
BIFAN 2025 runs through July 13, with screenings held across Bucheon at:
- Bucheon City Hall (Fantastic Cube & Oulim Theater)
- Korea Manhwa Museum
- CGV Sopoong
- Bucheon Art Bunker B39
- Online via Wavve (Korea only)
