Since its birth in 1997, Puchon International Fantastic Film Festival has grown by leaps and has become the most representative symbol of Bucheon City, known as the Mecca of the culture with combination of Animation, Cartoon, Game and Film, while moving forward to its change and creativity.

PiFan has not only attained the title as the most dynamic film festival that brings together the global film enthusiasts, but also evolved into a global fame that truly deserves the word ‘Fantastic’ filled with fresh energy of sensitivity in the past 12 years.

This past year, PiFan has received high praises with its creative and progressive programming from both the audiences and the film professionals from all over the world and confirmed its own identity of area by providing newly various points of views.
Furthermore, by cooperation between PiFan among Yubari International Fantastic Film Festival in Japan, and European Fantastic Film Festival Federation (EFFFF), PiFan has progressed into the biggest gala of Asian in genres.

Now, PiFan2009 takes a giant leap forward as it opens its 13th window. Any fan of ‘genre’ films will no doubt remember the moment of watching , one of the classic horror/slasher films from the 80s. Although the number 13th is generally recognized as an emblem of fear and ill-fated, it also represents the most unique and significant meaning when it comes to the fantastic genre, such as horror, mystery and thriller among others.

Just as fantastic genre, a previously long ignored and ill-treated in the history of cinema, is now one of the guiding force in leading the world film community, PiFan2009 seeks to find youthful excitement and creative energy from ‘unlucky number 13' this July. By doing so, PiFan salutes all genre masters with their energetic inspirations based on the challenging spirit of film culture and offer our respect to film enthusiasts who are ready to love the genre films with the heart.

Under the motto, ‘the origin of genre films and its new challenge’, PiFan will take us to a fantastic journey of 11days during which we will be able to appreciate a greater abundance of films, various special exhibitions and retrospective programs as well as films from master genre directors than ever. This year’s new films will surely delight the fans of ‘genre’ films for both their subject matter and style accompanied by progressive expression. 'Family Fanta' will also offer outstanding film selections for everyone without the boundary of age or sex, while 'Ani Fanta,’ one of PiFan’s main sections since 2007, will display PiFan's own cinematic taste of color.

PiFan2009 will further enrich the fruitful events and comfortable screenings thanks to the opening of ‘Primus SOPOONG Multiplex, offering a great, distinctive opportunity to come close to PiFan’s audiences. This will enable us to offer more convenient services, including the entire film-going odyssey from film ticketing to the screening.

And what’s more, PiFan is now preparing the memorable fantastic journey in summer with accompanying events like ‘Fantastic Concert’ and ‘Fantastic Book Fair’ to name a few, which are open to public who want to join in and celebrate the fantastic journey at PiFan. Having launched to an immense success last year, PiFan’s industry program Network of Asian Fantastic Films (NAFF) will present this year more in-depth and comprehensive ground for active bridging of both personal communications and industry resource exchanges on genre films. Every effort to encourage and support the advancement of Asian genre film Industry will be provided with exchanges of broader range of topics and ideas among the participants at NAFF.

Filled with the novelty, the challenge and the passion, PiFan2009 awaits for you on July 16th, 2009.

'In a midsummer Puchon, the city is enchanted by the spectacular imagination'
In July Puchon, the bizarre pillars are arising by the power of imagination. In the back of the dull signboards, in between the ordinary buildings,the grotesque entrails looking pipes and cables are pouring out.

In the middle of the city, the eerie giant’s face with two different eyes has appeared. In July Puchon, no one can expect what will happen next. Bob Jang projects the image of Puchon, an adventurous city with lots of imagination and inspiration, onto his illustration.

Black and white and color series accentuate the powerful image of the genre film festival, specializing in horror, thriller, fantasy, SF and so forth. By using the duplicity of number 13, its disquieting character but also as another starting point, his illustration exquisitely presents Puchon as a fantastic and adventurous living world.

Design : BAB JANG