The organizers of the Puchon International Fantastic Film Festival (PiFan) made their official announcement of this year’s fest earlier in the week. And as usual, it looks like a pretty loaded festival, with oodles of special sections for just about every taste.

PiFan will open on July 18 and run until July 25. Opening film is WALTZ WITH BASHIR by Ari Folman. Closing film is the world premiere of CYBORG, SHE, the latest by Kwak Jae-young. All told, PiFan will screen 205 films from 39 countries.

Highlights this year include:

  • Codename Dorans: Korean Hwalguek Cinema in Japan in Hong Kong. A look at eight actions films from the 1960s to the 1980s that were coproductions with Japan and Hong Kong.
  • 100 Years of Nikkatsu. Eight films from the famous Japanese studio, ranging from 1934 to 1975 (and one new film).
  • Grindhouse Revisited. Four “classic” sexploitation films, complete with crappy trailers. Includes CHAINED HEAT.
  • Q-Rious. A collection of queer films.
  • Gregg Araki.Four of his films.
  • Contemporary Russian Genre Films.
  • A restored print of Kim Ki-young’s THE HOUSEMAID.
  • OM SHANTI OM, the big Bollywood hit from last year.

    As usual, PiFan will also have several concerts going on, all held in the grass courtyard outside of Bucheon City Hall.

  • July 19: Windy City, Kingston Rudieska
  • July 20: Crying Nut, YNot
  • July 21: Gopchangjeongol, Sato Yukie, Mina Jung
  • July 22: Limer, Drifters (b-boy team), Bubble

    In addition, PiFan has started an industry section called NAFF (Network of Asian Fantastic Films), which will feature a project market, industry screenings, seminars and the like. Most of that stuff will not be open to the general public, but it will make my life busier.

    Anyhow, there is way too much to see, depending on your tastes and interests, for me to list everything. Check out the PiFan website to see it all.