Baek Byung-yeul is a journalist at The Korea Times focused on cultural content, including films and cultural events in South Korea. You can contact him at baekby@koreatimes.co.kr to share your insights.
Korean short film fest returns after 4-year hiatus
A poster for the 2025 Mise-en-scène Short Film Festival / Courtesy of organizer
By Baek Byung-yeul
The Mise-en-scène Short Film Festival (MSFF), one of Korea’s top contests for emerging cinematic talents, is poised for a return as the 21st edition is set to open its doors Thursday after a four-year hiatus.
Running through Monday at CGV Yongsan I’Park Mall in Seoul, the five-day film fest’s return marks a crucial moment for Korea's film industry here at a time when the industry is undergoing significant upheaval.
Since its launch in 2002, the MSFF has distinguished itself as Korea's sole short film festival centering on films of diverse genres. It is also famous for playing an incubator role by finding next generation filmmakers, with support from major industry figures like Bong Joon-ho and Park Chan-wook.
The festival was suspended after its 20th edition in 2021 due to operational difficulties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic but was resurrected this year by filmmakers who joined forces.
The enthusiasm for the festival among young filmmakers was intense. It invited submissions of short films across its five distinct genre sections — social commentary; romance and melodrama; comedy; horror and fantasy; and action and thriller. A record-breaking 1,891 entries were submitted, organizers said.
A total of 65 films were selected from the submissions for the competition section. Interest from movie fans was equally fervent as 24 out of the total 35 screening slots sold out within just two hours of ticket sales opening on Oct. 1.
Actor Koo Kyo-hwan in a scene from an official trailer of the 21st Mise-en-scène Short Film Festival, directed by director Um Tae-hwa / Courtesy of the organizer
The revival of MSFF has garnered attention thanks to star-studded participation. Actors Kim Go-eun and Koo Kyo-hwan featured in the official trailer, highlighting strong support from the industry.
The opening ceremony will be hosted by popular comedian Jang Do-youn, while actor Joo Hyun-young will host the closing ceremony, held at tech company Naver’s headquarters Naver 1784 in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province. Naver is this year's main sponsor of the festival.
Efforts to heighten public interest also include the participation of star actors Ju Ji-hoon, Park Jeong-min, Jeon Jong-seo, Kim Tae-ri and Kim Da-mi as honorary judges.
This year's slogan is "What’s Next?," reflecting the festival's commitment to exploring new narratives and cinematic language amid a rapidly changing film industry environment.
Noteworthy entries among the submissions include singer-actor Lee Jung-hyun’s directorial debut, "Toe-Tapping Tunes," alongside a diverse selection of films from talented directors that promise to captivate movie fans.