2016 Bucheon Animation Festival Highlights 'Ani+Play' Theme

According to a report from Korea JoongAng Daily, the organizers of the 2016 Bucheon International Animation Festival (BIAF2016) said that the festival will be bigger and the prize pool is much larger as well.

Talents and competitors around the world, including those from famous animation hubs Japan, Canada, and France will meet for five days beginning on October 21 to decide on which production will be considered the best.

In a press conference at the Korea Press Center near Gyeongbok Palace in central Seoul, the festival organizers expressed their thoughts and feelings for the festival. Jang Dong Yeul, the Chairman of the Organizing Committee stated that he wants to boost public awareness of animated films in order for students and lesser known artists in the animation industry to have more opportunities.

For this year, the theme is "Ani+Play," a combination of the words animation and play.

The festival does not only present competition, it also includes seminars and educational programs for aspiring animators. This year's festival has five categories namely Feature Film, Short Film, Graduation Film, TV & Commissioned Film, and Online.

Among these categories, the Feature Film category is the most anticipated with seven heavy-hitting contenders. One of the judges is the French graphic novel veteran, Benjamin Legrand. He is the writer of the second part of the original graphic novel version of "Snowpiercer."

Seulgi, a member of the K-pop female group Red Velvet, is the honorary ambassador of the BIAF2016 and will help in promoting and spreading the festival's mission.

She said, "I have enjoyed animation films and drawing with my friends ever since I was young. From watching others working in the field, I can understand just how difficult the process is. It was an honor for me when I was offered this position. I hope I do a good job. Thank you."