The 28th Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival (BIFAN) took place from July 4 to 14 with an 11day showcase of genre films, cementing its status as Asia¡¯s largest genre film festival. The festival featured a captivating lineup of horror, thriller and fantasy films, along with experimental works that are seldom seen in mainstream cinemas.

This year¡¯s Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival (BIFAN) carried forward its slogan 2021, ¡°Stay Strange,¡± a tribute to the festival¡¯s mission to highlight unique and unconventional talents in cinema. This year¡¯s festival featured an impressive lineup of 253 films from 49 countries.

BIFAN is a non-competitive international film festival with a special partial competition format. The special competition features two main sections: Bucheon Choice and Korean Fantastic. Bucheon Choice is the festival¡¯s international competition section. Notably, this year¡¯s festival has introduced an artificial intelligence (AI) Film section―showcasing films that push the boundaries of genre conventions and explore groundbreaking advancements in film storytelling.

A special actor¡¯s exhibition featuring Son Ye-Jin, one of Korea¡¯s most iconic actresses―and a memorial exhibition for Roger Corman, a towering figure in the world of genre filmmaking, were also held. In particular, the director¡¯s memorial exhibition was accompanied by a lecture by a critic who explored his cinematic endeavors. In addition, master classes were held by genre film legends―Johnnie To, Koki Mitani and Kim Sung-su. There were also premieres of remastered versions of their films which drew a lot of attention from movie fans.

Films were screened at various venues throughout some available on online streaming platforms to accommodate those unable to attend in person.

This year, BIFAN introduced BIFAN+, an expanded concept featuring conferences, workshops, exhibitions and a project market. This industrial program provided a platform for film market participants, industry professionals and AI experts to discuss the future of cinema and share inspiration and insights.

BIFAN went above and beyond with a series of outdoor events that invited both audiences and locals to immerse themselves in the festival¡¯s unique atmosphere. At the heart of the festivities was the Ascension Night Party, an EDM event held near Bucheon City Hall. In addition, the Carnival Dressing Room offered a fun escape for festival-goers with face painting and hairstyling that added a touch of whimsy to the celebrations. The festival also featured a Strange Treasure Hunt, where participants searched for hidden treasures scattered throughout the festival¡¯s venues, and the Strange Ice Playground, a refreshing retreat where visitors could cool off with water guns and ice play amid the summer heat. In a bid to create memorable experiences, BIFAN offered a Stamp Tour―where participants could collect stamps from different festival locations and to pose for photos and feel like film stars themselves. Fans also had the opportunity to interact with film industry figures during intimate meet-and-greet sessions. Finally, BIFAN¡¯s Neighborhood Cinema initiative brought free film screenings to local community spaces, offering a great opportunity for families and friends to bond over cinema in a relaxed setting.