By Honorary Reporter Jason Edwards from Luxembourg

The Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival (BiFan) ran from July 2-12 in Bucheon, Gyeonggi-do Province, for the 30th year in presenting works in the "fantastic" genre.

Thomas Nam Jongsuk is a Korean American festival programmer based in Bucheon, Gyeonggi-do Province and responsible for English‑language regions and Latin America. He oversees the Network of Asian Fantastic Films (NAFF) Project Market and the Fantastic Film School Global Course, helping shape BiFan's identity and supporting emerging voices in genre cinema.

The following is an excerpt from a July 12 online interview with Nam on the festival's identity, emerging trends in Asian genre cinema and support for new filmmakers through NAFF.

The BiFan awards ceremony on July 7 honors filmmakers, teams and outstanding genre projects (BIFAN)

What makes BiFan stand out from other international film festivals?

BiFan is dedicated almost entirely to fantastic genre films — horror, suspenseful thrillers, sci‑fi, black comedies and more. Around 95% of our programming falls within these categories. We also showcase extended reality and artificial intelligence-based content, which gives the festival a forward‑looking edge.

How do you select works and projects for the festival and NAFF?

We receive submissions through Eventival but also travel to major film markets and genre festivals such as Fantastic Fest, Sitges, Ventana Sur, Tokyo, Berlin, SXSW, Hong Kong and Cannes. Sales agencies send us screeners as well.

For NAFF, we review submissions with our preliminary jury and make the final selections. I also travel and select one project each from partner programs like Sitges FanPitch, Ventana Sur Fantastic!, HAF, TCCF and the Taipei Film Academy.

What trends do you see in Asian genre cinema?

Horror is definitely on the rise. Many Asian countries have experienced a renaissance of the genre in recent years, and I expect it to continue. Remakes of Korean films are also gaining traction like from Indonesia and Taiwan. Vietnam is developing several projects inspired by this trend.

Professional meetings at NAFF on July 9 bring together producers, directors and international partners to develop new genre projects. (NAFF)

How does BiFan support emerging filmmakers and international collaborations?

The NAFF Project Market provides grants, post‑production support and other in‑kind assistance.

The Fantastic Film School Global Course is a six‑week program (four online and two on‑site) that brings together 30 young filmmakers for training in genre filmmaking, including AI tools and mentorship from leading professionals. Many participants later bring their projects to NAFF; "In My Mother's Skin" is a great example.

A NAFF spotlight program on July 10 showcases emerging Nordic voices in genre cinema and their projects. (NAFF)

What can we expect from BiFan and NAFF?

We'll continue seeking outstanding genre films and promoting independent Korean works abroad. NAFF will keep looking for and supporting new Asian genre filmmakers through its programs.

ljyhwa@korea.kr

*This article was written by a Korea.net Honorary Reporter. Our group of Honorary Reporters are from all around the world, and they share with Korea.net their love and passion for all things Korean.