South Korea's premier animation festival continues to cement global standing with Academy Award qualifying status
The Bucheon International Animation Festival (BIAF) has kicked off its submission period for its 27th edition, scheduled to run October 24-28. The festival is accepting works completed after Jan. 1, 2024 that haven't previously screened at BIAF.
Deadlines vary by category: June 30 for shorts (including student films, TV and commissioned works and Korean shorts) and July 31 for features. The festival will distribute awards across 16 categories in the International Competition section.
BIAF's profile has jumped significantly in recent years largely thanks to its Academy Award qualifying status, which runs through September 2027. The Grand Prize winner in the short film category automatically becomes eligible for Oscar consideration — a coveted pathway for animators worldwide.
Recent selections from the festival have demonstrated this Oscar pipeline in action. "Memoirs of a Snail" (Adam Elliot), which had its Asian premiere at BIAF 2024 and took home the Grand Prize in the feature category, landed a 2025 Academy Award nomination for Best Animated Film. Similarly, "Wander to Wonder," which snagged BIAF's Jury Prize for Short Film, earned a Best Animated Short Film nomination at the 2025 Academy Awards.
Beyond its Oscar connections, BIAF has established itself as a crucial platform for introducing internationally acclaimed animation to Korean audiences. The 2023 edition featured several high-profile works making their Korean premiere, including "Chicken for Linda!" (winner of the Annecy International Animation Film Festival Grand Prize), "Robot Dreams" (a 2023 Cannes selection and 2024 Oscar nominee that served as BIAF's opening film), and "Art College 1994," which premiered in competition at the 73rd Berlin International Film Festival.
The festival offers comprehensive programming beyond competitions, with special screenings and industry events that attract animation professionals and enthusiasts from across the globe.
Selected shorts will be announced in August, while feature selections will follow in September on the festival's official website. Submissions can be made through the festival's website or FilmFreeway.
moonkihoon@heraldcorp.com
