By Kang Gahui and Kim Young Shin
Video = Chungmuro International Musical Film Festival

Summer is the season for film festivals, and they take place not just in Seoul but also in Gyeonggi-do, Jeollanam-do and Gangwon-do Province.

The Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival (Bifan), which focuses on horror, thrillers, mysteries and fantasy, will be held from July 12 to 22 in Bucheon, Gyeonggi-do Province. This year, the festival brought 290 films from 53 countries. The movies are all screened with English subtitles for non-Korean speakers.

The “Bifan VR Village” is a must-try for movie lovers this year. Here, the 15 winners of the Fantastic VR film contest and 17 invitational VR works will be played.

For musical film fans, the Chungmuro International Musical Film Festival is the place to go. The event showcases a wide range of musical films from classical to new releases. The screenings and live performances will be held at the Chungmu Arts Center and the Dongdaemun Design Plaza, both in Seoul, until July 15.

In Suncheon, Jeollanam-do Province, the Animal Film Festival at Suncheon Bay invites moviegoers to see some heart-warming films that feature animals. The festival, with the theme of “Happy animal” this year, will be held at the Suncheon City Culture & Arts Center, at the CGV Suncheon, and at other theaters across the city from Aug. 17 to 21.

Along the eastern shore, the town of Jeongdongjin will host the Jeongdongjin Independent Film Festival from Aug. 3 to 5. There, you can cool off at the beach in the daytime and enjoy free movies in the evenings in the schoolyard of Jeongdong Elementary School.



kgh89@korea.kr