Turning to the cultural scene - A festival for short films seeks to provide a better understanding of the genre.
Organizers of the event say they hope to raise public awareness about short films made at home and abroad.
Son Heekyung has more.
Movie lovers get ready to delve into the world of short films.
Short features have limited popularity in Korea, but the Asiana International Short Film Festival is hoping to change that.
The fourth edition of the annual festival requires all works to be under 30 minutes.
So those into experimental and creative films will likely find this festival spot on.
SON HEEKYUNG, REPORTER: "The six-day annual festival is presenting 85 short films from around the world. The opening ceremony ended with the screening of three festival openers from Korea, Japan and Spain".
The opening Korean film was Korea's "Poisson d'Avril", set on April Fool's Day.
The film looks at how adolescents search for their gender identity.
From Spain came the black comedy "Trailer for the Lovers of the Forbidden Things".
Famed director Pedro Almodovar's short is about a man who deserts his family for his new lover.
Other highlights are gay-themed films from Thailand, Israel and Taiwan.
The event's organizers say the festival seeks to raise Korean interest in short films, and help Korean short films advance on the world stage.
AHN SUNG-KI, DIRECTOR OF ASIANA INTERNATIONAL SHORT FILM FESTIVAL: "This is the only competitive international event for short films in Korea.
The topic of short films might still be unfamiliar to many.
I see this festival as the starting point for short films".
Director Lee Junik of "King and the Clown" fame is a jury member, and has this to say about the appeal of short films.
LEE JUNIK, JUROR OF ASIANA INTERNATIONAL SHORT FILM FESTIVAL: "One strength of short films is that whether they're five or 10 minutes long, directors can clearly show their cinematic perspectives.
I hope people can be captivated by short films during the festival".
Foreign filmmakers, domestic celebrities and the director of the Pusan International Film Festival all attended opening night.
The festival is still in the early stage of development, but has an important purpose: to financially assist promising short film directors from around the globe.
Son Heekyung, Arirang News.
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