We present the list of winners of the Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival which took take place from June 27th – July 7th, in Bucheon, South Korea.

Bucheon Choice: Features
Best of Bucheon

The Room by Christian Volckman
France, Luxembourg, Belgium | 2019 – 100 minutes

A young couple moves to an old house in the countryside. There, they discover a room that can materialize any wish they desire. Seemingly happy swimming in money and champagne, they wish for something nature had been denying them and which could their dream into a nightmare.

Best Director Choice

Daniel Isn’t Read by Adam Egypt Mortimer – USA | 2019 – 96 minutes

8-year old Luke invents an imaginary friend named Daniel who leads them both into a world of fantasy and imagination. After Daniel tricks Luke into doing something terrible, Luke is forced to lock him away. Twelve years later, Luke brings Daniel back and he now appears as a charming, manipulative young man with a terrifying secret agenda.

Jury’s Choice

Is That You? by Rudy Riveron Sanchez – UK, Cuba | 2018 – 107 minutes

Set in the countryside of Cuba, a domineering father exerts a strong influence over his family. However, when he suddenly disappears, his 13-year-old daughter Lili is distraught. Attempting to bring him back, she uses a spiritual ritual and uncovers an uncomfortable truth.

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Audience Award

The Culprit by Koh Jungwook – South Korea | 2018 – 100 minutes

Someone brutally murders Young-hoon’s wife. A hair sample was found on his wife’s body and the detectives use it to trace it back to his friend Joon-sung and locks him up. Seemingly becoming a murder’s wife overnight, Da-yeon asks Young-hoon to testify on his behalf but when he doesn’t show up for the trial, she goes to visit him at his house.

Best of Bucheon Special Mention

G Affairs by Lee Cheuk Pan – Hong Kong | 2018 – 105 minutes

Set in Hong Kong, the paths of several people converge the very night a human is discovered, leading to an investigation where all key words start with the letter ‘G’.

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Best Director Choice Special Mention

The Lodge by Veronika Franz & Severin Fiala
UK, USA | 2019 – 100 minutes

A soon-to-be stepmom is snowed in with her fiance’s two children at a remote holiday cabin. Just as relations begins to thaw between the three, some strange and frightening events take place, leading to a shocking revelation and a tragic end.

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Bucheon Choice: Shorts
Best Short Film

Last Days of the Man of Tomorrow by Fadi Baki
Lebanon | 2017 – 30 minutes

This is the tumultuous story of Manivelle, an automaton whose rise and fall mirrors that of Lebanon itself. Once the wonder of his age, today Manivelle is a rusty and mostly forgotten. Could the immortal ‘Man of Tomorrow’ really be dying and if so, what are his regrets?

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Jury’s Choice for Short Films

All Inclusive by Teemu Nikki – Finland | 2019 – 15 minutes

For all his life, Kalervo has been bad at standing up for himself, until Annukka – a woman who loves him – gives Kalervo a gift that changes everything. As many of Nikki’s previous works, All Inclusive may be interpreted in many ways, but ultimately it is about power, love and change.

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Audience Award for Short Films

Other Side of the Box by Caleb J. Phillips – USA | 2018 – 15 minutes

A couple receives a mysterious package from an old friend.

Korean Fantastic: Features
LG HiEntech Best Korean Fantastic Film

Flim Adventure by Lee Sangdeok – South Korea | 2018 – 87 minutes

An actor lives happily with his lover and cat but can’t shake this feeling that all is not as good as it can be. When he quarrels with his girlfriend and is kicked out of the house, he meets three people in a strange day where memories seem to overlap with the present.

Korean Fantastic: Best Director

Lee Donku for Fanfare – South Korea | 2019 – 88 minutes

The Hallowe’en festivities in Itaewon are interrupted by a murder in a local pub. One woman remembers being at the same pub, but is not sure why…

Korean Fantastic: Best Actress

Lim Hwayoung for her role in Fanfare (Lee Donku)
South Korea | 2019 – 88 minutes

Korean Fantastic: Best Actor

Cho Hyunchul for his role in Flim Adventure (Lee Sangdeok)
South Korea | 2018 – 87 minutes

Korean Fantastic Audience Award

Welcome To The Guesthouse by Shim Yohan
South Korea | 2019 – 99 minutes

Unable to get a job, Jungeon worries about his future. He sees a job advertisement at a guesthouse looking for someone with surfing skills. Jungeon can’t surf, but he needs that job…

Korean Fantastic: Shorts
Best Korean Short Film

Stuck by Kim Maeil – South Korea | 2019 – 22 minutes

‘A’ is walking in an abandoned area scheduled for redevelopment. ‘A’ after being chewed out by his boss for missing his appointment. The sound of a motorcycle passing by annoys him so he throws the ice cream he was holding at the bike.

Audience Award for Korean Short Films

Stuck by Kim Maeil – South Korea | 2019 – 22 minutes

NETPAC Award

Gully Boy by Zoya Akhtar – India | 2019 – 153 minutes

A young man’s parents want him to be white-collar worker. However, his love for rap is too strong and he sets out to realize his dream despite his family’s objections. His journet takes him from rapping on the streets of India to the main stage.

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EFFFF Asian Award

Manriki by Shimizu Yasuhiko – Japan | 2019 – 87 minutes

A suave beautician offers women the chance to correct what they feel nature has gotten wrong. Governed by his own morality, he employs a deadly contraption to bring them in line with his unnatural notions of beauty.

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Special Mention

The Dog Bridegroom by Katashima Ikki – Japan | 2016 – 245 minutes

Ninomiya Azusa, a depressed elementary school teacher living in Tokyo, is feeling overwhelmed with professional and personal difficulties. A voice tells her go to Imore Island, where all her problems can be solved.

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BIFAN Children’s Jury Award

My Dad is a Heel Wrestler by Fujimira Kyohei
Japan | 2018 – 111 minutes

Takashi, a once popular wrestler, returns after to the ring after a lengthy absence to play the ‘heel’ (a bad guy wrestler). When his 9 year old son discovers his father is regularly booed, he feels ashamed. However, a title match against a famous young wrestler gives Takashi a chance to regain his honor.

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