International Film Festival of South Asia – Seoul (abbreviated as IFFSA-SEOUL)
Host & Organized by Bangladesh Cultural Association in Korea
□ Film Festival Overview
I. Theme: <ALL IZZ WELL! Journey to South Asia through Movie>
II. Participation target: Films produced in 8 countries in India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, and the Maldives.
III. Genre: Drama, musical, action, horror, documentary, etc.
IV. Film festival theme
◦ A place where you can see masterpieces from all over South Asia
◦ A place where you can experience the culture of South Asian countries
◦ A place for exchange between South Asian and Korean filmmakers
◦ A place for understanding the mutual culture of Seoul citizens and migrants
V. Awards: All sectors are non-competitive
I. Festival of natives, migrants, and filmmakers
South Asians living in Korea are steadily increasing, and exchanges in various fields such as diplomacy and economy between Korea and South Asia are becoming more active. In this situation, the need for an opportunity for South Asian culture to spread widely to Korean society is increasing. Based on this, we would like to hold a film festival focusing on films throughout South Asia.
The International Film Festival of South Asia – Seoul (abbreviated as IFFSA-SEOUL) will spread the culture of South Asia and will be a place where migrants and natives can become one and communicate with each other. Natives will be given the opportunity to increase their understanding of South Asian culture, which was just vaguely felt, and motivate migrants to be more courageous in Korea with cultural pride.
At the festival, various types of films such as highly functional short/short films, independent films, and commercial films, which have been active in the top rankings in each country, will be presented. The dance and music represented by the 'Masala Movie' will also be implemented on the stage to provide a place to have fun with the audience. In addition, Korean and South Asian filmmakers will be invited to enhance their understanding of the movie market in each region and to provide a place to discuss ways to develop the movie market in both regions.
The festival will not only stop at the screening of the film, but will transform the festival into a festival that presents everything in South Asian culture, including the ‘World Food Trucks’ that showcase foods from different countries, and a performance stage that blends traditional music and dance.
II. Why do we focus on SOUTH ASIA?
“ALL IZZ WELL!”, is a famous metaphor from <3 Idiots>, which has gained worldwide popularity, and a positive attitude toward life represented by ‘ALL IZZ WELL’, a culture where exciting music and dance penetrate not only India but throughout South Asia.
While cultural content from the United States, South Korea, and Japan has generated a worldwide frenzy, cultural content in South Asia is still firmly established in their own countries. This is also the result of the people's pride and passion for their culture. In this atmosphere, South Asian films such as Indian films called “Bollywood” and Bangladesh films called “Daliwood(A compound word of ‘Dhaka’ and ‘Hollywood’)” not only build the world-class movie market size but also attract great attention all over the world with great work.
For example, in Canada and the United States, the “South Asian Film Festival” is held annually on a large scale, and it is receiving enthusiastic responses from not only immigrants but also local film officials. The South Asian Film Festival, held in both countries, is used as a catalyst for promoting cultural and economic exchanges between continents, as well as an opportunity for closer relations between natives and immigrants.
Korean films are also gaining attention in Hollywood based on the ever-increasing market size, and works such as <Parasites> are winning awards at the world’s prestigious film festivals. Now is the time to move beyond the US, Japan, and Europe to more diverse regions like South Asia.
The IFFSA-SEOUL will be a place where the Korean and South Asian film industries can communicate in earnest. Based on this, many talents will be active in both regions, and the opportunity to secure the diversity of films in both regions will be provided at this festival.
[Program overview]
◦ Movie Session 1 – “ALL IZZ WELL!” – The delightful musical movie collection: The most popular genre in South Asian movies, the “Masala” movie screening
◦ Movie Session 2 – Movies of various genres such as horror, thriller, and action: In South Asia, there is not only a “Masala” movie! Films in a variety of genres are produced as large as the market size.
◦ Movie Session 3 – Short but sure happiness – South Asian Short Film Masterpiece: We want to prepare the session called 'Short but sure happiness' for short film masterpieces that offer a different cinematic imagination and pleasure. Short films produced in eight countries in South Asia are carefully selected so that South Asian filmmakers can enjoy the unique cinematic sensations.
◦ South Asian Filmmakers Night – Gala Show where Korean and South Asian filmmakers gather in one place on the last day of the festival
◦ Side events – Traditional performance events by country (music, dance, etc.), South Asian food experience, etc.
[ETC]
◦ The number of screenings – Around 15~30 films from Korea, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, and Afghanistan.
◦ Subtitles and Interpretations – Korean/English, Subtitles Production Interpretation required for dialogue with the audience
◦ Public Relations Marketing – Publicity through official SNS (Facebook, Instagram) and public relations through embassies and immigrant communities in each country
□ The expected effect of the event:
I. A new type of film festival - “We are the mainstream!”
“Aren't there a lot of film festivals already?” Of course. But now, domestic festivals are festivals centred around filmmakers and film enthusiasts, rather than being popular. This festival aims to enable immigrants living in Korea to watch the latest box office films made in their own language and to expand their understanding of culture and life by viewing Korean subtitles.
Until now, most of the South Asian films introduced at the film festival were related to “multiculturalism” and “human rights for migrant workers”. However, that alone is not enough to promote the rich culture of South Asia. Through this festival, we will promote the diversity of South Asian culture and make Koreans more familiar with South Asian culture.
<South Asia-South Korea Parliamentary Diplomacy Forum>
II. Realization of “New Southern Policy” in the cultural world
Recently, the South Asian economy has been booming with the manufacturing industry and the IT industry at the forefront. Recently, the “New Southern Policy” promoted by the South Korean government is strengthening diplomatic capabilities not only in advanced countries in the first world, but also in emerging regions such as Southeast Asia and South Asia, and the pace of economic cooperation with these countries is increasing significantly.
Korea and South Asia also need more cultural exchange, and for this, the most effective material is film. If Korean films are active in South Asia's big movie markets such as India's Bollywood and Bangladesh's Daliwood, and if various South Asian movies can play in the Korean market, the understanding between the two regions will increase, as well as the exchange in various fields such as economic and academic will be more active.