[JIMFF] Fest dir. Jo Seong-woo says JIMFF stronger this year

Published on 2010/08/17 | Source

JIMFF Festival Director Jo Seong-woo [Lee Jin-hyuk/10Asia]

Festival Director Jo Seong-woo could be called the "A to Z" of the Jecheon International Music & Film Festival (JIMFF). The efforts he has put into managing the JIMFF since its second year has helped make abundant both the number and quality of films screened and performances put on every year, and slowly yet surely, JIMFF's brand has started to become remembered by the public. That is why this interview with him is the shortcut to understanding present day JIMFF.

10: Singer Lee Moon-sae's performance on the 14th was a huge hit. Many Jecheon citizens took part in it.
Jo Seong-woo: The sentiment of people from this area versus young people here for the film festival are very different. But Lee Moon-sae is a universal singer. I think it went well because he's someone that men and women of all ages like.

10: Like so, it must be important to fulfill the needs of both Jecheon citizens and people visiting from outside for the film festival. But in that sense, the JIMFF's red carpet was less eye-catching for the public or press.
Jo Seong-woo I think we paid a little less attention to inviting local stars because we had many guests from overseas for the Asia-Pacific Producers Network (APN) meeting. But we invited most of the directors and actors for the movies screened and I think they should own the film festival. Just like how 1st generation jazz musicians from "Bravo! Jazz Life" took to the stage of the opening ceremony. I think it's only right that film festivals be that way.

10: It's an issue of substance then. Are you confident about it?
Jo Seong-woo I think this year's JIMFF was better than last year's in terms of film programming. It became stronger as a music and film festival. And it seems quite evident that Jecheon has become a special place for musicians in the indie scene ? there are bands that keep coming. This has become a table where movie people and musicians can communicate. From conventional standards, things may seem quieter than last year but I see it the film fest itself as a huge success.

10: Indeed, it seems everything has accumulated bit by bit to create tangible history.
Jo Seong-woo That's why we have different artists perform for "One Summer Night" every year. We're trying to broaden the spectrum of our film festival while having a consistency. We maintain consistency with the trailer as well but have them made in omnibus format by reputable directors.

10: It's completely opposite from being all show and no substance.
Jo Seong-woo We're no show and all substance. Hahaha. If Jecheon can be remembered as a city that fulfills its cultural diversity through activities like these, I think its futuristic value will go well beyond imagination.