Busan: Ambassador Grbić Visits the Korean Film Council and the Korean Academy of Film Arts

Chairman of the Korean Film Council Professor Park Ki-yong described the Council as the central state institution in charge of film arts in Korea, receiving broad support of the Korean Government, and specifically the Ministry of Culture, under whose jurisdiction it was.

Ambassador Grbić emphasised that the purpose of his visit to Busan was to establish contacts and consider the potential for cooperation with Korea in the field of film arts, in view of the fact that Serbian cinema had not been present in Korea for almost 20 years, and that the Korean cinema had achieved enormous success over the same period, becoming one of the most prominent film industries in the world. He stressed that Serbia, as a country with an over century-long cinematic tradition, had a strong interest in cooperation with Korea in this field, and in participation of Serbian films in international film festivals taking place in Korea, including the Busan International Film Festival, the largest film festival in Asia. He added that the Film Centre Serbia was interested in establishing direct cooperation with the Korean Film Council, as its partner institution in Korea.

Professor Park expressed his willingness to establish cooperation with the Film Centre Serbia. It was agreed that the upcoming Cannes International Film Festival was a great opportunity for further talks between the two sides.

During his visit to the Korean Academy of Film Arts, Ambassador Grbić had a meeting with its Executive Director Joh Keun-shik, and took a tour of Academy premises, witnessing its impressive technical capacities and filming studios. Mr. Joh described the Korean Academy of Film Arts as an elite school for education of Korean directors and producers, which also provided opportunities for training of foreign students.

Ambassador Grbić described the Faculty of Dramatic Arts in Belgrade as a renowned institution with a long tradition of training actors, directors, and other film artists. He highlighted that there was a considerable potential for cooperation between the Faculty and the Korean Academy of Film Arts.

Mr. Joh expressed his willingness for establishing cooperation with Serbia, including the possibility of exchange visits by directors and students of both countries, for mutual benefit.

Representatives of the Korean Academy of Film Arts expressed their interest in showing Korean films at the International Film Festival FEST in Belgrade, as well as in having young Serbian film directors participate in the Busan International Film Festival.