What animated film's BIFF competition debut means

The upcoming Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) marks a significant milestone for the animated film genre as it debuts a Korean animated feature in its main competition lineup. This is the first time an animated film has been selected for the prestigious competition section since its inception last year. The animated feature in question, "Long Long Night," which is adapted from a bestselling Korean children's novel, has been making waves in the global film industry.

BIFF's director, Jung Han-seok, expressed surprise and delight at the selection of the animated film, noting that it came as a surprise even to the festival's program committee. The press conference was held in Seoul on Monday, where Jung shared these insights. The selection of "Long Long Night" is a testament to the growing prominence of animated films in contemporary cinema.

It follows a year in which animated features topped the box office in China and Japan, and was a global phenomenon with Netflix's "KPop Demon Hunters." The trend underscores the expanding global appeal and cultural relevance of animated storytelling, particularly when infused with specific cultural motifs like those found in Korean culture.