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The 4th Blue Planet Future Festival in Busan Opens — A Platform for Empathy and Action on the Climate Crisis

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Busan Metropolitan City (Mayor Park Heong-joon) announced that it will host the 4th Blue Planet Future Festival in Busan under the theme “Back to Earth, Our Only Home” from August 21 to 25 at the Busan Cinema Center.
○ The Festival is organized by the NGO Finding the Rights of Nature (Chairperson Jang Je-guk) and the Busan Cinema Center (CEO Kim Jin-hae), and sponsored by the City and the Ministry of Environment, among others.

The Blue Planet Future Festival in Busan has been held annually since 2022 to raise awareness of and build consensus on the urgent climate crisis. This year’s event will include an environmental film festival, environmental video and poster competition, academic conference, and various exhibitions and hands-on programs.
○ The opening ceremony will take place at 7:00 p.m. on August 21 at the outdoor theater of the Busan Cinema Center and is open to the public free of charge.

During the Environmental Film Festival, a total of 49 films from 20 countries addressing the climate crisis will be screened.
○ The Opening Film is Jane Goodall – Reasons for Hope, directed by David Lickley. The film presents uplifting stories from around the world, inspiring people who strive to make the world a better place. The Closing Film will be selected from among the entries submitted to the Environmental Video Contest, and will be screened at the closing ceremony to be held on August 25 at the Cinematheque of the Busan Cinema Center.

The Environmental Video and Poster Competition includes screenings and exhibitions of contest entries, as well as an awards ceremony, which will be held at 6:30 p.m. on August 25 at the Cinematheque in conjunction with the closing ceremony.
○ A total of 2,303 entries from 138 countries were submitted to the Environmental Video Contest, and 18 works have been selected as finalists and will be screened during the Festival. Among them, eight outstanding works will be awarded at the closing ceremony.
○ For the Environmental Poster Competition, 168 entries were received, and 16 selected works will be awarded on August 25. The selected works will be showcased on the 6th floor of the Busan Cinema Center throughout the Festival and will also be used for future materials such as calendars.

The Blue Planet Conference will run for three days from August 22 to 24 at the Cinematheque of the Busan Cinema Center. Under the theme “Innovation for the Environment,” the program will include film screenings, expert lectures, and discussions to broaden understanding of the climate crisis and explore practical solutions.
○ Class 1: Screening of Jane Goodall – Reasons for Hope followed by discussion on “Ecological Transition and Hope amid the Climate Crisis”
○ Class 2: Screening of Only on Earth followed by discussion on wildfire disasters and policy responses
○ Class 3: Screening of Lowland Kids highlighting children’s lives and recovery in the aftermath of disasters

The Environmental Exhibition and Hands-On Program will take place from August 22 to 24 on the 6th floor of the Busan Cinema Center. The program includes various exhibitions and activities organized in collaboration with organizations such as Korea Water Resources Corporation and the Korea National Park Service; an upcycling art experience program hosted by Value Workshop; and an exhibition and guided explanation of the winning works from the Poster Competition.

Films featured in the Festival can be booked via the Busan Cinema Center website (dureraum.org), the mobile app, or on site. Detailed programs and further information are available on the official Festival website (blueplanet.or.kr).

Lee Byung-seok, Director General of the Environment and Water Policy Office of Busan Metropolitan City, stated, “The Blue Planet Future Festival in Busan is a meaningful opportunity to promote environmental conservation and a sustainable future in the era of climate crisis,” adding, “We hope it will serve as a time to reflect together on the future of our planet through works that deliver hopeful messages that the climate crisis can be overcome.”