Five Korean films were invited to snowy Hokkaido for the Yubari International Fantastic Film Festival. Among them, one feature and one short film received awards from the festival.

 

Revenge thriller Mizo by NAM Ki-woong received a restricted rating in Korea despite multiple attempts to secure a softer rating. However the film was able to screen in its intended version through its invitation to the festival. It was selected for the Fantastic Off Theatre Competition and ended up grabbing the Cineger Award. This film premiered at the Jeonju International Film Festival last year in the Korea Cinemascape program.

 

Previously invited to the Busan International Film Festival, the short film Hurdle is a story about the life of a woman who takes care of her mother suffering from Alzheimer’s. One day while watching TV, she comes across a hurdle race and becomes entranced. Directed by BAK Sung-jin, a student from Sejong University’s Department of Film Art, Hurdle was invited to the International Short Film Competition section where it won the Artistic Contribution award.

 

Korean films continue to be loved by the programmers and audiences of the Yubari International Fantastic Film Festival as can be seen through these two awards bestowed this year. In 2013, four out of six Korean titles won awards, making it one of the best years for Korean films at the festival. The 26th Yubari International Fantastic Film Festival was held from February 19th to the 23rd.