The 42nd Busan International Short Film Festival (BISFF) will be held from April 24 to 29 across two venues, the Busan Cinema Center’s Film Archive and the BNK Busan Bank Art Cinema.
This year’s theme, “Cinema & Sound,” highlights the essential role of audio in filmmaking, exploring the art of dialogue, sound effects, and music through 157 short films from 41 countries.
Opening night will take place at 7 p.m. on April 24 at the Film Archive’s Sky Theater, featuring three selected works: Crocodile Grandpa from Colombia, Beyond the Water from France, and Carlos’s Helmet, a Mexico-Korea co-produced documentary.
The evening also includes a live music video screening and performance by singer-songwriter Kim Sa-wol and a Colombian dance performance led by artist Jonathan Jimenez.
Ahead of the main festival, a special “Cinema Concert” will be held on April 23 at the BNK Busan Bank Ocean Hall. It will showcase competition films alongside performances of theremin music, traditional Colombian dance, and a local children’s choir.
Colombia, this year’s guest country, will be featured through dedicated programs and special screenings that reflect its social and cultural realities. Additional events include outdoor screenings, artist talks, and a BISFF roundtable for audience engagement.
The festival concludes with an awards ceremony on April 29 at 7 p.m., where winners in four major categories—including Best Film—will be announced.
As Korea’s first Oscar-qualifying short film festival, winners in the international and Korean competitions are eligible for Academy Award consideration.
Tickets are available at www.dureraum.org, with full schedules and program information listed on the official BISFF website at www.bisff.org.
