▲ Disappearing Jewels, Animation, Will Kim

The 2024 Korean International Ocean Film Festival (KIOFF) will take place from July 19 to 21 at P.ARK, a complex cultural space in Yeongdo District, Busan.

 

According to the Busan City government, the festival is organized by the KIOFF Organizing Committee and supported by Yeongdo District. This year's theme is "Boundless Ocean," showcasing 27 films, both feature-length and shorts, from 11 countries.

▲ Alien Contact, Film, Rick Rosenthal

The opening ceremony will be held on July 19 at 6:30 PM on the outdoor stage on the 6th floor of P.ARK. The event will be hosted by actress Choi Song Hyun, who is also a scuba diving instructor and marine environmental activist. The a cappella group OZMSR(오직목소리) will perform at the ceremony.

The festival's opening films are "Disappearing Jewels" by Korean-American animator Will Kim, which explores issues caused by global warming and showcases marine life through animation, and "Alien Contact" by marine biologist Rick Rosenthal, which delves into encounters with manta rays. 

▲ Sonata Of Wave, MA Xue, China, Film 
The closing film is "Sonata of Wave," directed by MA Xue, with lead actor Weihao Xu scheduled to make an appearance for a stage greeting.

The festival will also feature various programs including Q&A sessions with filmmakers and ocean-related experiences.

A Busan City official commented, "The Busan International Ocean Film Festival is an opportunity to explore marine environments and cultures through film and to screen domestic works that tell the stories of our seas."▲ The poster of the KIOFF

Sayart / Nao Yim, yimnao@naver.com