Comprised of nine major filmmakers’ associations in Korea, Korean Film Group’s Emergency Committee for Defending BIFF’s Independence announced on April 18 that they would boycott this year’s BIFF.

Each member association of the committee conducted a survey about boycotting the event, and over 90 percent have agreed not to attend BIFF unless Busan Mayor accepts the following demands:

– The mayor, SUH should resign from the BIFF’s organizing director immediately and agree to…

Kang Soo-youn, Festival director of BIFF issued a statement followed by the court order to annul the appointments of the advisors.

“It is with great regret that the Busan District Court ruled in favor of Busan Metropolitan City Government. BIFF will have to accept the court ruling and postpone the special assembly meeting, which was expected to revise the articles of association to guarantee the Festival’s autonomy. BIFF has only less than 6 months left to get ready for this year’s…

On April 11, the Busan District Court approved the injunction filed by the Busan Metropolitan Government against the executive committee of the Busan International Film Festival (BIFF), seeking suspension of 68 new members of the advisory committee from coming into force.

“Let us all be of one mind to protect the Busan International Film Festival”

Urging the Busan city government to guarantee the BIFF’s autonomy and independance, Korean filmmakers spoke up in support of BIFF at a press conference on March 24.

In the statement, the filmmakers stressed that ‘support without interference’ is the universal understanding and the noble premise for supporting art and culture.

The Entire Korean Film Community will boycott BIFF unless the Busan city guarantees the festival’s independence!

“Korean Film Group’s Emergency Committee for Defending BIFF’s Independence” strongly demand the followings;

– The mayor, SUH should resign from the BIFF’s organizing director immediately and agree to revision of the articles for the festival’s autonomy and independence!

– The city government must stop unjust interference on BIFF and withdraw the legal application…

On March 14, the Busan city government filed for a court injunction to annul the appointment of 68 advisers by the BIFF executive committee. The Busan city government claimed that the newly appointed advisers were selected without due process, thus they are unqualified. The court issued a subpoena to order the said advisers to appear in court. The newly appointed advisers include high-profile filmmakers and actors such as Park Chan-wook, Ryu Seung-wan, Choi Dong-hoon, Yoo Ji-tae and Ha…

<Response from BIFF’s festival director to the result of the Board of Directors>

The four resolutions presented by the result of the Board of Directors Meeting on March 8th were solely based on the city government’s unilateral assertion. The meeting was led by the ex officio members like the city mayor, the deputy mayor, and the director-general of Culture and Tourism Bureau in Busan city, and it is obvious that their resolutions reflect the city government’s stance only on the…

BIFF Organizing Committee Board Meeting was held, and 16 members out of all 23 board members attended.

It was practically very first Board Meeting since BIFF’s inception in 1996.

Attended board members mostly consist of ex officios from Busan city government and representatives of press from Busan region.

– Content of resolution

* Dismiss the newly appointed advisory committee members

* Postpone the special assembly meeting because there is no enough time to prepare

* Set…

“BIFF is not the festival only for Busan citizens. It is a valuable cultural asset representing not only Busan but Korea. It is the festival for the people of whole nation and cineastes from all over the world.”

At the conference, he provokes the regionalism to distort BIFF’s argument for its independence by denouncing filmmakers and actors such as Park Chan-wook, Ryu Seung-wan, Choi Dong-hoon, Yoo Ji-tae and Ha Jung-woo as a minority of filmmakers outside of Busan who have not contributed to BIFF.

He said, “by appointing some of the filmmakers outside of Busan area who personally support the festival director, the festival director went against the wills of Busan citizens who have devotedly…

* Reported agenda items at the general assembly meeting

The result of the 20th Busan International Film Festival

The change of ex officio members of the organizing committee and appointment of committee advisor members

Appointment of Deputy director, members and advisors of executive committee

* Deliberated agenda items at the general assembly meeting

Selection of the organization committees members.

The settlement of accounts of BIFF for 2015.

The preparation plan…

BIFF responsed through the press release. “We welcome the decision of Mr. Suh. Regarding Mr. Lee’s position, we will decide after there is an explicit action by amending the articles at General Assembly.”

Mr. Suh, the Busan Mayor, had an urgent press conference and announced he will resign from the BIFF Chairman. He mentioned he will pass the position to private figure, and he will not reappoint Mr. Lee.

Busan City said “It is impossible to reappoint Mr. Lee. He was being accused, and under his management, BIFF cannot be renovated.” But this idea was not discussed through the official procedure of General Assembly.

Busan IFF shared with the list of the newly appointed advisory committee members to Busan city government.

The selection process went through various listening and communications. The list of candidates for the advisory committee was made and each candidate was asked if he or she agreed, then 68 candidates agreed. After the internal approval of the BIFF secretariat, they were officially appointed on Feb 12th, 2016.

On Feb 15th, Kim Ji-seok, the program director of BIFF notified Lee…

“#ISUPPORTBIFF” meeting at the Berlin International Film Festival. Over 150 people gathered.

Busan City reported that the BIFF General Assembly will be postponed. At the Assembly,it was supposed to be an agenda regarding the re-appointment of Festival Director Mr. Lee; but as the City Hall announced the postponing, Mr. Lee will be dismissed automatically.

Mr. Lee had an interview with JTBC Newsroom, a prime-time daily news program. There was a question, “Are you going to choose to screen the film Diving Bell if you are at the same situation again?”, and he answered “It is not a matter of choice.” emphasizing the importance of festival autonomy.

Special Round Table event at Seoul Cinematheque about “Film Festival and Film Culture – regarding BIFF’s independence and autonomy” was held. Five other international film festivals in Korea announced the co-statement about supporting BIFF.

Busan City spoke about the reason of accusation. “BAI asked us to accuse three executives because of giving commission to brokers and also false accounting administration.”

BIFF made an announcement about the prosecution by Busan City. BIFF protested against the prosection saying “The City of Busan Government’s recent accusation is surely a political retaliation against the festival for screening documentary The Truth Shall Not Sink with Sewol a.k.a Diving Bell. Meanwhile, Mr. Lee has been under heavy pressure to resign from the City of Busan Government. Since the board’s call, the City of Busan has constantly put pressure on the BIFF, implying that…

Busan Metropolitan City has filed a complaint with prosecutors against Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) co-director Lee Yong-kwan as well as the festival’s former and current general managers for alleged mismanagement of sponsorship fees.

Mr. Suh met Mr. Lee and Kim Ji-seok,  the program director of BIFF, and mentioned that Busan City Government may accuse the Director, Lee Yong-kwan and ex- and current secretary generals of BIFF.

Suh Byung-soo, Mayor of Busan Metropolitan City met and suggested the directors of BIFF, Lee yong-kwan and Kang Soo-youn, to find the practical solution for BIFF togther.

KOFIC replied the letter from Berlinale. Toronto International Film Festival sent a letter of protest to the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism and KOFIC.

Kim Jongdeok, the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism mentioned about the controversy over budget cut for BIFF during a press interview, saying “It’s basically a matter of KOFIC’s decision and I think it’s time for BIFF to get financially independent.”

Result of 2015 Evaluation of International Film Festivals in Korea announced and monetary support for BIFF cut to 800 million Korean won from 1.46 billion Korean won, even the Korean Film Council (KOFIC) evaluated BIFF as the best.

The General Delegate of the Cannes International Film Festival Thierry Fremaux and the Director of Venice International Film Festival Alberto Barbara announced the declaration of support to BIFF.  Filmmakers in Busan region gathered (24 groups) to demand no political pressure, respect for the principle to support with minimal interference, and guarantee of the film festival’s independence.

Press Conference held by ‘Korean Filmmakers Committee for Depending the Freedom of Expression (74 groups joined)’. “Stop destroying the Freedom of Expression!”

Press Conference to announce Lee Yong-kwan’s position was held. Mr. Lee said that he would immediately rectify any of obvious faults or administrative mistakes caused by carelessness and strictly supervise not to recur.

The situation of BIFF had widely known to other film festivals through foreign press. Dieter Kosslick, Festival Director of the Berlin International Film Festival, and Rutger Wolfson, Festival Director of International Film Festival Rotterdam, stated their support to BIFF’s independence and autonomy.

The result from the administrative guidance inspection leaked to the press – Yeonhap News. BIFF had already planned a public hearing for future and renovation of BIFF. BIFF released immidiate reaction that it was very regretful of the result to be leaked by Busan City.

‘Emergency Committee for Defending BIFF’s Independence’ was organized.

Mr. Suh and Mr. Lee had a meeting and agreed to discuss further with the reformation plan by BIFF.

BIFF announced its official position about Busan City’s conference and press release. “We have not been received any official request to present the improvement or new vision as they mentioned. We are embarrassed as the process of Busan City’s guidance inspection and follow-up is very different from previous years.”

Busan City held an urgent press conference and had a press release regarding “Busan City Hall’s Position on Necessity of Operation Improvement and Reformation of Busan International Film Festival”. The press release was mainly about reformation plan including personnel renovation (targetted the resignation of Mr. Lee Yong-kwan) and presenting the vision of BIFF.

Busan City advised Festival Director Lee Yong-kwan to resign, saying that the administrative guidance inspection result was not favorable. Mr. Lee answered through his interview that he cannot decide to resign by himself.

Preliminary audit was conducted by BAI. BAI explained that the audit had no relation to the film Diving Bell.

Press reported there is going to be audits by BAI and by Busan City. As the Government budget was less than 12%, it is an exceptional case for BAI to do a special audit.

Closing day of the 19th Busan International Film Festival. According to BIFF, the Board of Audit and Inspection (BAI) requested accounting documents through Busan City right after the closing.

After the first screening of The Truth Shall Not Sink With Sewol, a director Lee Sangho said “The memories of Sewol will be forgotten rapidly. It needs to be produced because of lose sight of the fact. I stayed up for making film to screening at the BIFF although it’s in a short period of time”

BIFF officially announced to screen The Truth Shall Not Sink With Sewol as scheduled. “BIFF has never withdrawn the official screening under the external pressure. The festival should be protected the freedom of expression. The official screening in the festival may be expressed criticism, but the criticism and withdrawal of screening  is totally different. Also, The Truth Shall Not Sink With Sewol has never shown. It threatens the identity and existence of the festival.”

Korean director Bong Joon-ho, one of the New Currents jurors, mentioned the current situation. “It seems as a mistake from the first-year mayor who is not familiar with the festival management. Asking the festival to withdraw a certain film, it is like asking the prestigious chef to give up a main ingredient of one’s signature.”

Lee Yong-kwan, the festival director, was asked regarding the screening of The Truth Shall Not Sink With Sewol at the 19th Opening Film Press Conference. He answered the screening takes place on 19th Busan IFF officially as announced.

Korean Filmmakers Coalition issues a statement urging to stop the pressure on BIFF and to ensure the festival’s independence. “It’s first time to BIFF in 19 years that it was asked to withdraw the screening of officially selected film.”

Suh Byung-soo, the Mayor of Busan Metropolitan City, interviewed with The Kyunghyang Shinmun, announcing his objection to the screening officially. “It is not wise to screen the film which can harm political neutrality.”

Suh Byung-soo, Mayor of Busan Metropolitan City and Chairman of BIFF organizing committee, unofficially requested to withdraw the official selection film The Truth Shall Not Sink With Sewol.

The 19th Official Press Conference took place at Busan Cinema Center in Busan and Korea Press Center in Seoul. BIFF officially announced 314 films from 79 countries.