30th Edition with the Motif of Expansion
The most significant transformation presented by the 30th BIFAN is ¡°expansion.¡± The festival has increased both the number of invited titles and screening sessions, with a particularly notable rise in latest Korean films. The scale of international guests has also expanded in accordance with its 30th anniversary. This is not limited to quantitative growth but extends to qualitative transformation as well. In the AI section, BIFAN moves beyond short-form works to present feature-length AI films, along with short-form content screenings. This spirit of expansion serves as the foundation for the festival¡¯s next leap forward, even richer in the future. It demonstrates how BIFAN continues to solidify its identity as a genre film festival while remaining acutely responsive to rapidly evolving media environments and audience experiences, consistently positioning itself at the forefront of cinematic change.
New Sensibilities, New Sections
This year¡¯s festival focuses on section restructuring and programming that reflect rapid audiovisual environment change and audience sensibilities. Most notably, the newly launched gala section ¡°Signature¡± represents the stature of BIFAN as it celebrates its 30th edition. By inviting master filmmakers, iconic actors, and today¡¯s emerging talents, the section aims to create unforgettable moments of encounter and connection with audiences. Changes across other sections were also designed to better resonate with audiences. While ¡°B Extreme¡± firmly reinforces the festival¡¯s identity through BIFAN¡¯s signature bold and intense genre cinema, the diverse films featured in ¡°Fanta-scape¡± will reveal the festival¡¯s increasingly broadened spectrum.
The Launch of Asian Genre Films 99
Celebrating its 30th edition, BIFAN launches a new three-year project that will continue through 2028. Asian Genre Films 99 is a special program that selects 99 representative Asian genre films?33 titles each year. The selections will focus on different regions each year, beginning in 2026 with 33 Korean genre films. The project was conceived as an effort to map the landscape of Asian cinema and systematically explore its evolving currents through the lens of genre, which lies at the core of BIFAN¡¯s identity. In addition, the 30th BIFAN collaborated with the Association of Korean Women Film Producers to curate a list of 11 Korean genre films directed by women filmmakers.
Partal Gate: Opening the Cinema of the Future
Installed on the lawn square of Bucheon City Hall, the Fantastic Portal (working title) is an interactive gateway that envisions the limitless possibilities of future cinema beyond BIFAN¡¯s 30-year legacy. Constructed using TiLiT, the eco-friendly modular system developed by media art group EVERYWHERE, the installation transforms the dynamic movement of waves into three-dimensional pixels with fantastical colors of the chameleon, visually expressing the evolving identity of the festival. As audiences pass through the portal, visual flows reminiscent of digital glitches in audiovisual media break through the conventional boundaries of the screen, creating an immersive journey into multidimensional future cinema. Above all, the portal is designed as a participatory space for everyone. Guests and audiences alike will directly place tiles bearing their personal dreams and celebratory messages onto the structure, gradually completing a monumental collaborative installation. Combined with special AR content experiences that expand cinematic imagination into physical space, the Portal will become a living landmark of BIFAN across both virtual and real worlds.
Building an AI Film Value Chain: From Creation to Industry
To mark its 30th edition, BIFAN launches the Bucheon AI Content Summit, a platform dedicated to showcasing the AI programs the festival has pioneered over the past two years. It reflects BIFAN¡¯s ambition to advance a sustainable AI film ecosystem connecting education, production, exhibition, and industry, while positioning itself as a global hub for the AI film industry. This year, BIFAN also introduces AI Frontier, a new non-competitive section that significantly expands the scale of AI film screenings. Furthermore, global conferences and creator showcases will be organically connected with business meetings, establishing a practical foundation for an AI film industry value chain in which creators and companies can grow together.
French Focus and Strengthened International Collaboration
Having grown through close collaborative networks within the Asian film industry, BIFAN further expands its scope by strengthening global networking initiatives. In celebration of both the 140th anniversary of Korea-France diplomatic relations and the 30th BIFAN, the festival presents a special French focus program, including a curated showcase of French sci-fi cinema exploring France¡¯s rich cultural and genre traditions. The program will be featured in both the industry and XR sections. Also, BIFAN highlights the rapidly growing East Asian genre film market through programs featuring acclaimed directors and actors from regions including Hong Kong and Indonesia. Through these initiatives, BIFAN aims to solidify its role as a platform where filmmakers from around the world can collaborate and exchange ideas.
Festival Created Together with Audiences
This year¡¯s festival seeks not only to enhance the quality of its programming but also to create deeper opportunities for interaction between audiences and creators, strengthening BIFAN¡¯s unique identity and festive spirit. Programs for special encounters within the festival will be expanded. Alongside Q&As, a variety of participatory events?including masterclasses, mega talks, and forums?are being prepared. In particular, BIFAN plans to introduce Fun Fun Oraksil, a newly designed audience-friendly lounge intended to reduce the distance between creators and audiences. Through these efforts, BIFAN will function as a more expansive festival space where genre culture can be shared, experienced, and celebrated together.
Closer to the Community: Neighborhood Cinema Tour
Neighborhood Cinema Tour is a community-oriented program designed to bring films and the festival experience closer to the citizens of Bucheon. Expanding the boundaries of time and space, the program presents acclaimed feature and short films across a wide range of genres, including horror, sci-fi, fantasy, drama, comedy, war, action, and mystery. In addition to free screenings, the program includes Q&As, stage greetings, lectures, and food events, creating a cultural space where citizens and cinema naturally come together. Programs will take place throughout Bucheon in art halls, libraries, schools, community spaces, and parks, allowing audiences to engage with cinema indoors and outdoors. BIFAN also continues its commitment to accessibility through barrier-free screenings that enable audiences with and without disabilities to enjoy films together. By experimenting with new formats such as film concerts, the festival aspires to create an open and inclusive celebration of cinema for all.