The 20th GwangHwaMun International Short Film Festival Jury Notes
It was a great honor and pleasure for us to participate in the GwangHwaMun International Short Film Festival. We were particularly glad to experience the unique structure of this year’s 20th edition. Thanks to the judicious choices of the selection committee and the audience jury, we were left with a fascinating selection of 41 finalists. Many of these represented the continued resilience and innovation of local independent cinema in Korea, while an array of intricate and unique works exemplified the varied voices clamoring to be heard and seen around the world. We look forward to seeing how the festival will further this model in the years to come.
▲Photo = ‘Sierra’, a gold prize
SIERRA
Both in style and narrative, Sander JOON’s engaging animation is personal and original. The adventure of a child who joins his macho father in a car rally – and offers himself as a wheel of a 1980s Sierra to give them a chance at victory – offers intelligent comedy and emotionally complex surrealism at the same time.
▲Photo = ‘Warsha’, a silver prize
WARSHA
WARSHA is a fascinating psychological journey, grounded between a harsh reality and inner desire. Through the eyes of a Syrian migrant, this 15-min short reveals a bird’s-eye view of Beirut that hides beyond the skyscrapers.
▲Photo = ‘To Each Your Sarah’, a bronze prize
TO EACH YOUR SARAH
Director KIM Deokgeun breathes life and complexity into a gloomy story and setting in the gripping TO EACH YOUR SARAH. With its magnetic performances, deftly drawn relationships and subtle juxtapositions, the film strikes an impressive chord that rings out and lingers in the mind.
Pierce CONRAN, KIM Doyoung, Teresa KWONG, SOHN Sehoon, Gerwin TAMSMA
*Alphabetical order of surnames in English
https://www.moviebloc.com/gisff/award