Busan is good

“Where the Sea Touches Us” – The 2025 Korea International Ocean Film Festival Opens on June 19

내용

The Busan Metropolitan City (Mayor Park Heong-joon) will host the 2025 Korea International Ocean Film Festival (KIOFF) from June 19 to 22 at the Busan Cinema Center in Haeundae.

○ Now in its 8th year, the Korea International Ocean Film Festival is the only ocean-themed film festival in Korea. It focuses on the relationship between the sea and humanity, marine environments, ecosystems, and coexistence. It is jointly hosted by the City of Busan and the Korea Ocean Business Corporation, and organized by the KIOFF Organizing Committee.

○ The festival features prominent ocean films from around the world, offering audiences a rare opportunity to experience unique works not easily accessible elsewhere.

○ Beyond screening films, the City aims to grow KIOFF into a sustainable marine tourism content platform, advancing Busan as a hub for ocean culture and a global marine tourism destination.

This year’s theme, “Where the Sea Touches Us,” will be explored through 34 feature-length and short films from 10 countries.

○ The Opening Film on June 19 is Her Shark Story, a documentary by Chilean directors Ignacio Walker and Denis Arqueros. It tells the story of Sofia, a young marine biologist, and her journey of reconnecting with her estranged father through their shared passion for protecting whale sharks.

○ The Closing Film, scheduled for June 22, is Sea Tiger by director Jung Yoon-chul. Set to premiere nationwide on June 25, the film is adapted from Kim Tak-hwan’s novel It’s a Lie, and portrays the life of the late diver Kim Kwan-hong, delving into themes of the ocean, death, memory, and responsibility.

○ Other key films include:

• ●Footprints on Katmai – a reflection on marine waste during a journey to Mount Katmai in Alaska

• ●Ocean Watch: A Story of Deep Sea Exploration – highlighting deep-sea biodiversity and ocean conservation

• ●Sunny Day – a poignant story of healing set against the sea

In addition to film screenings, the festival offers:
▲ GV (Guest Visit) programs featuring directors and critics interacting with the audience
▲ Lectures and Talk Shows with marine experts on current ocean-related issues
▲ Photo Zones and Booth Events for immersive public engagement

○ K-pop group BTOB’s member Im Hyun-sik will join a GV session for The Young Man and the Deep Sea, a film about his music video shoot in the waters of Palau.

○ Also returning this year is the Ocean Music Talk with pop columnist Kim Tae-hoon, discussing the soundtrack of director Ryoo Seung-wan’s film Smugglers.

○ Special lectures will be held by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) and Deokhwa Myeongran, offering insights into today’s marine challenges.

Tickets can be reserved online at www.dureraum.org, or purchased on-site during the festival.

○ Admission is KRW 5,000. For more information, visit the official KIOFF website (kioff.kr) or Instagram (@kioff.official).

Kim Hyun-jae, Director General of Tourism & MICE Bureau of Busan, stated:
“The Korea International Ocean Film Festival offers a meaningful opportunity to share the beauty and value of our seas. Through the medium of film, we hope more people fall in love with the ocean.”
He added, “We will continue expanding marine tourism content so that Busan becomes a year-round destination for sea lovers.”

---

Appendix 1: Festival Overview

• ●Title: 2025 Korea International Ocean Film Festival (KIOFF)

• ●Period / Venue: June 19 (Thu) – 22 (Sun), 2025 / Busan Cinema Center

• ●Scale: 34 films from 10 countries, approx. 3,000 expected attendees

• ●Hosted by: Busan Metropolitan City, Korea Ocean Business Corporation

• ●Organized by: KIOFF Organizing Committee

• ●Main Events: Opening Ceremony, Screenings, Guest Talks, Marine Experience Programs

Major Schedule

Date	Event	Venue	Details
June 19 (Thu)	Opening Ceremony	Cinema Center Mid-Sized Theater	Reception, Performance, Opening Remarks, Guest Talk, Opening Film
June 20–22	Film Screenings	Cinematheque, Small Theater	Official Selections, Guest Talks
June 20–22	Lectures & Talks	Various	Marine Expert Panels, Film Critics
June 20–22	Experience Booths	6F Lounge	Interactive Marine-themed Activities
June 22 (Sun)	Closing Ceremony	Small Theater	Closing Ceremony & Film Screening

Opening Film Details

• ●Title: Her Shark Story

• ●Directors: Ignacio Walker, Denis Arqueros

• ●Year: 2024

• ●Runtime: 76 minutes

• ●Genre: Documentary

• ●Country: Chile

• ●Synopsis:
  Sofia, a young marine biologist working in the Galápagos, reconnects with her estranged father through a shared mission to protect the world’s largest shark — the whale shark.