BIFAN is positioning itself as a future-oriented platform driving innovation by actively incorporating artificial intelligence (AI) across the entire spectrum of filmmaking, including education, production, and exhibition. In 2024, BIFAN became the first film festival in Korea to introduce an international competition section dedicated to AI cinema, titled 'Bucheon Choice: AI Films.' Alongside this, it hosted an AI International Conference and an AI Filmmaking Workshop, taking the lead in shaping the AI paradigm within the visual content industry.
Building on this momentum, BIFAN announces "A.I. STEP 2!" in 2025, unveiling a more advanced and comprehensive lineup of AI-driven programs. The AI Filmmaking Workshop-previously held as a hackathon-style short film production program-will be significantly broadened. The 2025 edition will encompass short films, mid-length (omnibus) films, and AI+XR hybrid content production, thereby expanding the creative spectrum of AI-powered filmmaking. Notably, BIFAN is founding the AI Film Institute Bucheon, which will host the workshops year-round, thereby establishing a structured and ongoing educational framework aimed at cultivating the next generation of creators.
Moreover, this year¡¯s AI International Conference will provide a forum for in-depth discussions on the ethics and artistic potential of AI-assisted creation. BIFAN will examine the evolving landscape of the content industry and platforms shaped by AI-driven production. To foster collaboration with leading technology companies building the generative AI ecosystem, BIFAN will also hold the EnterTech Forum-an initiative that explores the creative convergence between AI technologies and cinematic language. Through these multifaceted initiatives, BIFAN demonstrates a clear strategic direction that goes beyond technical experimentation, aiming to emerge as a global hub at the forefront of AI innovation in the film industry. By exploring new narratives and creative possibilities enabled by the synergy of AI and cinema, BIFAN continues to push the boundaries between technology and art.