Seongbuk-gu office of the Seoul will hold the 13th International Youth Film Festival, the one and only international film festival for teenagers, in Korea.

The annual festival will be held for seven days (July 7 to 13) at various venues throughout Seongbuk-gu, including the Arirang Cine & Media Center, which is the only ward office-run movie theater in Seoul, the Kookmin University, International Bldg. Concert Hall, the CGV Sungshin Women’s Univ., and Seongbuk-cheon Baram-Madang.

Of the 1,235 movies from 65 nations originally submitted to the festival, only 140 films from 37 countries, including 39 from 14 countries that were submitted for the competitive category, will be screened during the event. Their main themes cover children’s and teenagers’ issues, family and growth.

The festival eve celebration will take place at an outdoor stage in Seongbuk-gu office at 7 pm on July 6, while the opening ceremony will be held at Kookmin University, International Bldg. Concert Hall at 7 pm on July 7. The award-winning movies will be announced at the closing ceremony, which will take place at Hall 1 in the Arirang Cine & Media Center at 7 pm on July 13.

The 2011 International Youth Filmmaking Camp, which will bring together more than 100 teenagers from over ten countries, will be held in Yangpyeong, Gyeonggi Province from July 7 to 13, with a program comprising lectures on moviemaking theories and practice, and the production of short films, by movie makers and producers.

The International Media Education Seminar will also take place at Hall 3 of the Arirang Cine & Media Center at 3 pm, July 11 to allow participants to share examples of video and media education programs for youth from various countries including the U.S.A., the Philippines, Norway, Denmark, Finland, and Ireland.

For screening schedules, please refer to the festival’s website (www.siyff.com). For other inquiries, dial the Culture and Sports Division at Seongbuk-gu office www.siyff.com.

* Government press release (July 4)