Seoul Independent Film Festival, 'SIFF X Byeon Wooseok: Shorts on 2025' Final Selected Works

The collaboration between the Seoul Independent Film Festival and Byeon Wooseok has resulted in three films.

The Seoul Independent Film Festival announced a project with actor Byeon Wooseok last September. 'SIFF X Byeon Wooseok: Shorts on 2025' is a newly established production support project sponsored by actor Byeon Wooseok to assist creators of independent films that propose new possibilities for Korean cinema even in challenging circumstances. Beyond simple production support, the involvement and sponsorship of a beloved actor connects to the independent film creation ecosystem, making it a novel endeavor. It holds special significance as a new generation of actors collaborates with independent film creators to build the foundation for future Korean cinema together.

A total of 483 works were submitted for the call for entries held from October 10 (Friday) to 24 (Friday). The jury selected three works that align with the identity of production support, the purpose of the program, and the proposed theme of 'love'. Director Park Jeong-bin's 〈She Always〉 depicts lovers who are pushed to the periphery of the world by machines and inevitably lose their humanity, while still illustrating the fierce determination to protect what is most precious until the end. Director Lee Joo-yong's 〈Nowhere〉 captures the lonely winter moments of a quick delivery worker and a toll booth collector who are in a reality where they cannot promise a future, with the emotional resonance felt in the spaces between the lines of the script being very deep and long, receiving the most balanced support from the jury. Director Heo Ji-yoon's 〈Didi Imbaal〉 is a work that creatively unravels the excitement and heartbreaking moments of a girl who has the ability to stop time while experiencing her first love.

The judges stated, “After preliminary and final evaluations, a total of nine works were selected for the final interview, and the works that made it to the final round included pieces that depicted deep insights into life based on realism, as well as various genres such as comedy, sci-fi, romance, and queer, allowing us to encounter the vibrant imagination unique to short films and diverse and creative interpretations of love.” They added, “The creators who participated in this call for entries explored those complex knots in their own languages and senses, showing the beauty of moments that only short films can reach.” In particular, actor Byeon Wooseok conveyed a message of support, saying, “All three works were impressive with their unique charms and clear worlds, and I hope this energy leads to completed films, and although it was a small opportunity, I hope this support contributes to the creation.”

The Seoul Independent Film Festival will be held from Thursday, November 27 to December 5 at CGV Apgujeong & Cheongdam Cine City.