Animal Film Festival entertains pets, owners

The number of people who have companion animals is growing in Korea, surpassing over ten million nowadays.

Recently, in Suncheon, a first-ever animal-themed festival was held to prove their love of animals. The 1st Animal Film Festival in Suncheon (ANFFIS) started on August 22 and lasted for five days.

Visitors to the 1st Animal Film Festival in Suncheon share their stories about pets with each other (photo courtesy of ANFFIS).

Kim Min-ki, president of production company of Fine Works, who had widely shown his profound affection towards animals by producing films like "Heart is... 2"(2010) and "Champ" (2011), served as chair of the Executive Committee for the festival.

"We tried to avoid previous types of guided safari bus tours this time", explained Kim in an interview. "Instead, the festival was designed to be where humans and animals can mingle and enjoy together".

The five-day festival showcased a total of 40 films all based on stories related to animals, classified under five different categories including overseas films, classical old movies, and animations.

The 2010 release of Korean comedy film "Heart is... 2" (photo courtesy of ANFFIS).

A South African boy becomes like brothers with little Cheetah in Duma released in 2005 (photo courtesy of ANFFIS).

The 2012 release of American movie Big Miracle tells the story of a grey whale that ends up arriving in the Arctic while hunting (photo courtesy of ANFFIS).

Besides the screening, there were many events in the limelight. "Animal Bus" invited pet owners, especially those who have adopted abandoned animals, from five cities (Seoul, Daejeon, Daegu, Busan, and Gwangju) and offered opportunities for sightseeing aroundSuncheon Garden Expoas well as the film festival.

Other side events included Animal Music Festival, a free medical check-up service, and Forest Camping Film Festival, where pet owners enjoyed time with their companions watching movies and eating snacks in the forest.

More information is available at the official website ofANFFIS.

By Lee Seung-ah

Korea.net Staff Writer
[email protected]