Winners of Korean Competition of

37th Busan International Short Film Festival

General Statement

We have noted that ‘immigration’ is an overriding theme in many of the works in this year’s Korean Competition, including a documentary. In addition, we have encountered diverse powerful female characters throughout the program. It is a remarkable achievement that the works dealing with pessimistic stories avoid the trap of melancholy, since it is difficult for sad stories not to leave viewers sad and depressed. Furthermore, we have been impressed by attempts to deliver humor in the midst of heavy subject matter.

Grand Prix (KAFA Award)

Empty by Kim Minjae

A woman on the verge of a nervous breakdown. This well written story welcomes us into the everyday life of a lonely wife, employee and friend who will eventually break free from the confines of her secluded existence. Both imaginary and naturalistic, emotional and reserved, awkward and absurd, the director manages to create a desolate yet buoyant world around his heroine. The confident direction of this piece as well as the quiet, observational cinematography convinced the jury to hand out the Grand Prix to this film.

Excellence Award

Alien by Yeon Jegwang

A very cinematic short that depicts a bleak drama about the life of illegal migrant workers in a factory. The picture makes perfect use of just the strictly necessary dialogue, relying more on a truthful mise-en-scène and a naturalistic cinematography in order to tell the story. In a subtle way, far from a melodramatic approach, the film portrays the intolerable living conditions and exploitation that these hidden human beings must face every day, not only in South Korea, thus becoming a political work of art.

Jury Award

Dear Elephant by Lee Changmin

This film traces the life of the forgotten filmmaker Lee Kyeongson through the memories of his family members, which leaves a lasting impression on us.

Best Acting Award

Park Seoyoon of Bizarre Research of a High School Girl

Park Seoyoon charms us with her facial expressions and brings together the film’s erratic energy through her lively performance.

* “Audience Award”, which is selected directly by the audience is cancelled because of the online conversion of BISFF.