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| ▲ This poster of the 50th Seoul Independent Film Festival is provided by the organizers. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
SEOUL, Nov. 5 (Yonhap) -- Korea’s largest competitive independent film festival, the Seoul Independent Film Festival (SIFF), will celebrate its 50th anniversary starting November 28.
At a press conference on October 5, the festival’s organizing committee shared that despite budget cuts, over 1,700 films were submitted, setting a record for the event’s half-century celebration.
Originally founded in 1975 as the Korea Youth Film Festival, SIFF has evolved into an annual showcase of independent cinema. This year’s theme, "50 to Infinity," embodies the 50th anniversary and the festival’s vision for a limitless future.
The number of submissions reached an all-time high of 1,704 films, reflecting a 24% increase from last year, driven by the dedication of creators working through industry challenges and a growing festival audience. Of these, 133 films, including 92 short films and 41 feature films, will be screened, featuring experimental documentaries and innovative storytelling.
Prize funding has dropped to 88 million won, down from last year's 100 million won, due to a reduction in government support, with funding for next year’s festival facing a total budget cut. Festival director Kim Dong-hyun commented on the funding challenges, expressing hope for continued support from the government and the Korean Film Council.
Korean Film Council member and director Yang Yun-ho emphasized the festival’s significance, stating, "The festival should last another century, inspiring future filmmakers to create meaningful films."
The opening film is Baek Hyun-jin Show: The End of Civilization, produced by composer and actor Baek Hyun-jin and directed by Park Kyung-geun, documenting an avant-garde theater production staged last year.
This year’s program also includes the "Actor Project - 60 Second Monologue Festival," now in its seventh year, which attracted a record 4,856 applicants and aims to spotlight emerging talent in independent film. Additionally, the "Independent Film Archive" segment will present six digitally restored films from the 1960s to 1990s, including Yoo Hyeon-mok’s The Hand and Byun Young-joo’s The Murmuring.
The festival will also feature eight films in its international section, highlighting notable works from Asian filmmakers, including Jia Zhangke’s The Hedonists and Wang Bing’s Youth (Hard Times). SIFF will run through December 6 across seven venues, including CGV Apgujeong.
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