Korean film 489 Years, the big winner of Bucharest International Experimental Film Festival

Korean film 489 Years­, directed by Hayoun Kwon, won the Grand Prize of the 2017 Bucharest International Experimental Film Festival (BIEFF). The event took place in the Romanian capital between March 28 and April 2. “Combining 2D and 3D animation with elements of documentary, 489 Years is an immersive experience in the territory of the border between North Korea and South Korea, in an area called DMZ. Instead of using 3D animation techniques for building an alternative reality, Kwon's creativity opens a virtual space, a territory that is “real” and fantastic at the same time, introducing the viewer in a restricted area. By creating computer generated imagery as possible extensions of the documentary material, 489 Years is a strong contemporary reflection on the nature of image and the new frontiers of narration and imagination,” according to the statement from the BIEFF jury. The Grand Prize amounts to EUR 3,000, being offered by the Romanian Cultural Institute (ICR). Meanwhile, Small Town brought Portuguese director Diogo Costa Amarante the festival’s Best Director prize offered by Cinelab Romania. The prize consists of EUR 1,500 worth of post-production services. The Best Visual Concept award went to 2016 France-Belgium production Summer, directed by Ronny Trocker, while the Jury’s Special Mention was won by A Brief History of Princess X, directed by Gabriel Abrantes. The Audience Award went to two movies, namely Rino Stefano Tagliafierro’s Peep Show and Alexandru Badelita’s I Made You, I Kill You. Moreover, Luiza Parvu and Toma Peiu won the Best Romanian Director award for their film Sisyphus 2.0. The prize has a value of EUR 1,000. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qad-hmC4t7M Romanian film Sieranevada lands six prizes at local industry awards Irina Popescu, irina.popescu@romania-insider.com