BIFAN

BiFan, short for Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival, is an annual film festival held in Bucheon, South Korea. It specializes in genre cinema, with emphasis on fantasy, horror, thriller, science fiction, and animation. The festival screens world and international premieres, alongside retrospectives, thematic programs, and industry events such as a film market and conference sessions. It serves as a platform for filmmakers, distributors, and press to explore cross-border collaborations and new distribution opportunities.

History: The event originated in 1997 as the Puchon International Fantastic Film Festival (PiFan) to showcase genre cinema from Korea and abroad. After the city branding aligned with Bucheon, the festival adopted BiFan as its English-language name, reflecting its Bucheon base. Since then it has grown into one of Asia's leading genre-film events, drawing participants from around the world.

Format and awards: BiFan includes competitive sections judged by a jury, presenting awards for selected features and directors, along with an Audience Award and special prizes. In addition, it offers market activities, industry panels, filmmaker Q&As, and retrospectives highlighting influential works and creators.

Impact and significance: The festival has helped elevate regional genre cinema and provided a launching pad for international co-productions and discoveries, contributing to the visibility of Asian genre filmmakers.