The lineup for the 22nd Mise-en-scène Short Film Festival has finally been decided!
As Korea’s only genre-focused short film festival and a legendary stepping stone for rookie directors and actors, the Mise-en-scène Short Film Festival revealed the 44 films that made the cut after some seriously fierce competition on the 4th.
A total of 1,667 films were submitted during the open call held from January 19 to February 20. After a strict screening process, the festival organizers introduced the 44 works that earned the honor of advancing to the finals.
These finalists will meet the audience through five signature sections: ‘Take Care of My Cat’ (10 films), ‘Jealousy is My Strength’ (10 films), ‘Conduct Zero’ (8 films), ‘Strange Tale’ (8 films), and ‘No Mercy’ (8 films). This year’s lineup perfectly balances genre diversity with the critical perspectives of contemporary creators.
With each section boasting its own distinct vibe, the festival is expected to provide a multi-dimensional look at the current trends in short films. Even more exciting is that the lineup includes 18 world premieres and 2 Korean premieres (as of the 30th of last month), giving audiences a special chance to be the first to see these brand-new works.
Co-executive directors Yoon Ga-eun and Lee Sang-geun shared their heartfelt message, saying, “Congratulations to the 44 directors selected for the screening. We will do our best to make this an unforgettable and precious time in your lives. Please wait for the day you meet the audience with a fluttering heart. We also want to express our deep gratitude to everyone who poured their heart and soul into the works they submitted, even if they weren’t selected.”
The 44 finalists will compete for awards in six categories: Grand Prize, Best Film, Jury Special Award, Cinematography Award, Actor Award, and Audience Award. Additionally, the ‘Best Moving Self-Portrait’ award will be given to the director who receives the most votes for their moving self-portrait, bringing the total to seven award categories.
The festival’s unique award structure highlights various levels of creativity, recognizing achievements in directing, acting, and technical skill. However, all eyes are on the ‘Grand Prize.’ Because it requires a unanimous decision by the jury among the Best Film winners, it is incredibly rare, having been awarded only four times across 21 editions. Whether a Grand Prize winner will emerge this year has become a major point of interest!
All winners will be announced during the closing ceremony on June 23, which will also feature the screening of the closing film to wrap up the 22nd Mise-en-scène Short Film Festival. Everyone is eager to see what the results will be for the 44 selected films.
The 22nd Mise-en-scène Short Film Festival will take place over six days, from June 18 to June 23, at CGV Yongsan I-Park Mall.
