OVERVIEW
In the wake of the pandemic, film festivals around the world were faced with an unprecedented crisis. Filmmakers lost the opportunity to gather and discuss their work and theaters could no longer host filmgoers. Festivals everywhere were either canceled or delayed. However, armed with determination, we sought creative and safe ways to sustain ourselves. Online platforms and other mediums were adopted so that we can do what we are supposed to do.
But here comes a bigger question. Was the crisis really caused by the pandemic? What if such a crisis was well on its way already? Think about the streaming platform, metaverse, and XR contents. The revolution in digital media has been changing the landscape of film making and furthermore, the very definition of filmmaking for a long time. The pandemic was not the cause, but an accelerator.
Continuing from last year¡¯s topics, BIFAN Forum returns with the theme, ¡°Redefine Cinema¡± and there will be discussions on the post-pandemic future of film industry and film festivals by asking questions such as, what visions and strategy are needed for film festivals to help further develop global film industry and promote cultural diversity? How should we go about tackling the issues the Korean film industry faces such as polarization and deteriorated diversity which had been expedited by the pandemic? Although these questions are nothing but new, we failed to present adequate answers. This year¡¯s BIFAN Forum strives to become the destination for productive discussion to yield the fundamental and pragmatic solution that we¡¯ve been yearning for.