The Ugly Stepsister by Norway’s Emilie Blichfeldt has won the top prize and audience award at the 29th Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival (Busan) in South Korea.
The twisted take on the classic tale of Cinderella picked up the Best of Bucheon Award as well as the audience award at the closing ceremony of the festival today (July 11) at the Eoul Madang Hall in Bucheon City Hall.
The film premiered earlier this year as the Sundance Midnight opening selection and went on to play the Berlinale. Shudder has rights for North America, the UK and ANZ. It marks the feature directorial debut of Norwegian writer-director Blichfeldt and stars Lea Myren, Thea Sofie Loch Næss and Ane Dahl Torp.
Bifan’s best director choice award went to Reflection In A Dead Diamond from Belgium-based filmmakers Bruno Forzani and Hélène Cattet. The thriller, centred on a retired spy, premiered in competition at the Berlinale.
The jury’s choice award was scooped by horror-comedy Together, directed by Michael Shanks and starring Alison Brie and Dave Franco. It also premiered at Sundance, where it was acquired by Neon.
The best Korean fantastic film award went to Kim Min-ha’s Teaching Practice: Idiot Girls And School Ghost 2 while the best director award in the Korean Fantastic: Features section went to The Square by Kim Bo-sol.
Korean fantastic actors awards were presented to Han Sun-hwa for Teaching Practice: Idiot Girls And School Ghost 2 and Kwon Yong-geun for Classroom Delusions. A special mention was given to Yang Mal-bok for Manok.
The Korean fantastic audience award alsowent to Manok, directed by Lee Yu-jin. Classroom Delusions, directed by Seo Eun-young, won both the Nonghyup distribution award and Watcha’s pick for Korean fantastic.
The Mèliés International Festivals Federation (MIFF) Award went to South Korean’s I Kill U, directed by Yoo Ha. The Netpac Award was presented to Japan’s Young & Fine, directed by Toshiya Kominami. The Odd Family Award went to New Zealand feature Bookworm, directed by Ant Timpson.
This year’s edition of the genre festival comprised 103 features, 77 shorts, 11 AI films and 26 XR works.
The festival’s closing film was the world premiere of family drama The Go-To Restaurant, directed by South Korea’s Han Jay. It marks the first time a Korean title has closed Bifan in five years. While the closing film screened today, the festival will continue until Sunday (July 13).
No comments yet