BIFAN 'Leviticus' Sweeps Two Awards: Best Film and Audience Award

'Levitation' Captivates Bucheon

The 30th Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival (BIFAN) held its awards ceremony on the 9th, announcing this year's winners. Director Adrian Kiarella's 'Levitation' achieved the most notable results. 'Levitation' won the Best Film award in the 'Bucheon Choice World: Feature' category and also took home the Audience Award, chosen directly by viewers, securing two awards.

'Levitation' is a horror film depicting the process of two teenage boys fleeing from an entity that transforms into the form of their deepest desires. Utilizing Christian taboos and narratives of punishment, it unfolds the conflict between faith and desire through the genres of queer romance and horror. Having had its world premiere in the Midnight Section of the Sundance Film Festival, this work also received strong support in Korea. The two official screenings held during the festival and the special screening celebrating the award were both sold out.

In his acceptance speech, Director Adrian Kiarella stated, "'Levitation' is a film made with the hope that it will touch the hearts of many people around the world. I am grateful that through this award, you have once again reminded us that the story of these two protagonists is, in essence, a very universal story that anyone in the world can empathize with." The film 'Levitation' is scheduled to be released in the second half of this year.

Director Jung Bum's 'Knock' Wins Best Korean Feature Film

In the Korean film category, 'Bucheon Choice Korean: Feature,' Director Jung Bum's 'Knock' took the Best Film award. 'Knock,' which deals with the issues of youth in institutional care, was selected by the jury for its blend of crime, thriller, and mystery genres. In addition to the Best Film award, the work also received the SHOWBOX Audience Award.

Lead actress Yoon In-ah received the Korea Motion Picture Actors Association Award. Actor Hong Seo-baek from 'Smile Charles' was also named on the list of acting award winners. The Best Director award went to Director Yoo Hyung-jun for 'The Butcher's Only Son,' while Jung Yi-joo for 'Soap' and Jung Hyung-suk for 'The Butcher's Only Son' received Special Mentions in the acting category.

The winners for the distribution support categories were also finalized. The NH Nonghyup Distribution Support Award was given to Director Lee Yong-sun's 'Office Worker Sports Day' and Director Oh Young-du's 'Smile Charles.' The Movie House Overseas Distribution Support Award was awarded to Director Lee Jun-seop's 'Soap' and Director Nam Ji-eun's 'Breathing.' The jury evaluated the selected works, saying, "Beyond genre entertainment and cinematic perfection, they captured a deep perspective on humans and society," and added, "The tight directing, excellent narrative control, and outstanding acting of the actors combined organically to complete the power of the works."

Awards Continued Across Various Categories

This year, BIFAN held awards in a total of 20 categories. The jury for the 'Bucheon Choice World: Feature' section included Director Banjong Pisan다면kun, CEO Byeon Seung-min of Climax Studio, actress Asmara Abigail, and Director Yukisada Isao. The jurors for 'Bucheon Choice Korean: Feature' were producer Kim Se-hun, actress Jung Ha-dam, and director Pil Gam-seong. For the domestic and international short film competition categories, director/actress Ryu Hyun-kyung, director Yamashita Koyo, and director Lee Sang-geun served as jurors.

The Best Director award in the World Feature category went to Director Carrie Barker for 'Obsession.' Director Jane Schonbrun's 'What Happened at Miasma Camp' received the Special Jury Prize, and Director Paul Urkijo Aliso's 'Gaua' received a Special Mention. The MIFF (Méliès International Film Festival) Asian Film Award was awarded to Director Jung Hyo-jung's 'Oga,' and the FIPRESCI (International Federation of Film Critics) Prize was awarded to Director Paul Urkijo Aliso's 'Gaua.' Director Jung Bum's 'Knock' received the NETPAC Award. Director Takebayashi Ryo's 'My Daughter is Invisible' received the 'Children's Fantastic Choice Award' chosen by the children's jury.

In the short film category, Director Jose Eduardo Castilla Ponce's 'Resurrecting the Dead: Cumbia for the Deceased' won the Best Film award in the international category. Director Sandeep Francis's 'Switch Off' received the Jury Prize, and Director Wizje's 'The Last Jiangshi' won the Audience Award. In the domestic short film category, Director Hong Seung-gi's 'Mungchi' won Best Film, and Director Lee Su-hyeok's 'Myoeoga' took the Audience Award. Actress Han Yu-yeon received the Korea Motion Picture Actors Association Award for 'The Woman Who Went Crazy.'

The newly established 'Bucheon Choice AI Film Award' was won by 'Save Me.' The ceremony featured a celebratory performance by the fusion group Jambinai and was hosted by actor Kang Seok-woo, and the final awards for the 'Short! Form! Pan! BIFAN 30-second Short-form Contest' were also presented. The 30th BIFAN, which screened 321 films from 50 countries, continues in the Bucheon area until the 12th.