The 29th Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival (BIFAN, Festival Director: Shin Chul) unveiled official main poster on May 13, ahead of its upcoming opening in July. Created through an innovative fusion of fine art and AI technology, this year's posters present a visionary direction that blurs the boundaries between art and technology.

The poster is the result of a unique collaboration between Studio Freewillusion (led by CEO KWON Hansle) and artist PARK Shin-yang. Studio Freewillusion reinterpreted PARK’s works Palette and Donkey 13 through advanced AI technology, capturing a paradoxical yet dynamic boundary where traditional fine art and cutting-edge technology converge.

Drawing inspiration from the surrealist symbols of “eyes” and “donkeys” featured in Luis Buñuel and Salvador Dalí’s short film Un Chien Andalou, the poster incorporates these motifs as central elements. The “eye” represents a rational and conventional gaze upon reality, while the “donkey” embodies hidden desires and primal instincts. Through these metaphors, the poster seeks to explore the subtle tension that exists between pure artistic expression and technological innovation.

In the artwork, the “donkey” symbolizes the artist and the essence of fine art. The “eye” positioned on the path represents a transformative perspective that transcends traditional limits. As the donkey walks the line between AI noise and artistic palettes, it embarks on a journey toward a new artistic frontier.

BIFAN’s signature slogan, Stay Strange, continues to represent the festival’s core identity this year. Featured within the eye, alongside the “Fantasy Cells” at the bottom of the poster, the slogan anchors itself at the intersection of technology and art, the real and the surreal. By breaking down these boundaries, the poster reflects BIFAN’s enduring commitment to celebrating diverse creative talents as a genre film festival.

Well-known for his powerful performances in Korean dramas such as Lovers in Paris, War of Money, and Sign, PARK Shin-yang launched his first solo exhibition The Fourth Wall in 2023, showcasing his unique artistic philosophy. He also published a book of the same title and has been actively presenting his work both domestically and internationally, including an exhibition in Osaka, Japan.

Studio Freewillusion’s CEO KWON Hansle, who led the poster’s art direction and design, received a special mention at BIFAN 2024 and garnered attention for representing Korea at an international academic conference on AI. Her AI-directed short film One More Pumpkin won both the Grand Prize and the Audience Award at the inaugural Dubai International AI Film Festival, further cementing her reputation for combining technological prowess with artistic excellence.

The 29th Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival will take place from July 3 to July 13 in Bucheon, South Korea.

¡á Official Posters of the 29th BIFAN
Original Artwork: Park Shin-yang
Art Direction & Design: Studio Free Willusion

¡á Contact
Email: foreignpress@bifan.kr
Website: www.bifan.kr/eng/
 

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