Press conference for the first ‘Chungmuro International Musical Film Festival (CHIMFF 2016)’ held at Chungmu Art Hall in Jung District, Seoul. (image credit: Yonhap)
SEOUL, June 17 (Korea Bizwire) – “A musical film is not just a film genre.”
“It’s a blend of performing arts and visual arts, taking music and film into one,” said creative director Kim Hong-jun during a press conference for the first ‘Chungmuro International Musical Film Festival (CHIMFF 2016)’ held at Chungmu Art Hall in Jung District, Seoul on Thursday.
The CHIMFF is the first musical film festival held in Korea.
The success of last year’s ‘pre-festival’ CHIMFF 2015 initiated the preparation of this year’s official festival with more confidence.
“A musical film is not a popular art genre, however people who lack resources try harder than those who have to achieve success,” said film director Lee Jang-ho, one of the organization’s chairmen. “I’m sure that this festival will change people’s prejudice against the musical film genre,” he added.
Another chairman and a president of Chungmu Art Center, Kim Seung-eop, said, “It is our goal to make a festival where performers and filmmakers present their skills and audiences enjoy high quality artworks.”
Kim Moo-yeol, a musical and film actor, is the public face of the festival.
He introduced himself as a person deeply involved in musicals and films. “I’m very honored and excited to be the first public face of this musical film festival,” he said.
CHIMFF 2016 will be held from July 6 to 11, divided into ten sessions at Chungmu Art Center, Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP), CGV Cine Library at Myeongdong, Megabox Dongdaemun, Myeongdong Arts Theater, showcasing a total of 30 musical films.
The opening film is “Argentina” by Spanish master Carlos Saura, and the closing piece will be “The Wiz” starring Michael Jackson and directed by Sidney Lumet.
By Nonnie Kim (nkim@koreabizwire.com)
