In 2025, as the conversation about cinema’s present and future evolves, the Busan International Short Film Festival (BISFF) stands at the forefront — championing the power of short films through a bold fusion of artistic vision and fearless experimentation. Held in April in Busan, a UNESCO City of Film, BISFF honors its role as an international platform, showcasing outstanding short films that have contributed to the remarkable growth of both Korean and international culture.

The 42nd Busan International Short Film Festival (BISFF) presents “Cinema & Sound” as its central theme, exploring the art of sound — which, alongside imagery, is an essential element of cinema. This year’s program delves into the rich sonic landscape of film, from the dialogues between characters and evocative sound effects that shape a scene’s intensity to film scores that range from powerfully stirring to gently immersive. This year, BISFF proudly welcomes Colombia as its guest country, marking the first time a South American nation has received this honor. A powerhouse in South American cinema, Colombia has a rich tradition of storytelling, producing remarkable narrative films that reflect its modern and contemporary history as well as documentary films that provide insightful explorations of urban and rural life, and the complexities of human consciousness.

BISFF presents a rich and diverse lineup of short films through its International Competition, Korean Competition, and Operation Kino, alongside curated non-competition programs featuring films from Korea, Asia, and beyond. Committed to pushing the boundaries of cinematic artistry, BISFF offers world-class programming across various sections. In exploring the formality of cinema, the Prism section highlights experimental films, while the Beyond section explores 3D, XR, and interactive cinema, offering alternative approaches within narrative fiction, documentary, and animation. Geographically, the Korea section spotlights significant contemporary Korean short films, while the Asia section curates emerging short films from across the region, aligning with this year’s theme. Furthermore, BISFF features award-winning short films from prestigious festivals such as Cannes, Venice, and Berlin, along with engaging special events, including roundtable discussions.

This year, BISFF aims to reaffirm that, even in this challenging era for Korean cinema, short films continue to serve as both its foundation and a powerful alternative to artistic expression. We warmly invite you to join us and look forward to your enthusiastic participation.

Thank you.