Jang Mihee Elected as Chairperson of BIFAN: A New Era for Korean Cinema

Jang Mihee Takes the Helm at BIFAN

On September 1, 2025, Jang Mihee was elected as the 10th Chairperson of the Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival (BIFAN), succeeding the 9th organizing committee whose term expired on August 31, 2025. Jang’s appointment comes after her successful leadership of the 29th BIFAN earlier in February 2025, where the festival achieved an impressive 89% seat occupancy and a sell-out rate of 47.9%.

A Legacy in Korean Film

Jang Mihee has a rich history in the Korean film industry, debuting in 1976 with “Seong Chunhyang Jeon.” Over the decades, she has held multiple influential positions, including her time as Vice Chairperson of the Korean Film Council from 2002 to 2005 and Chairperson of the Independent Art Film Recognition Subcommittee from 2004 to 2008. Jang’s extensive experience extends to various committees, such as the Film Rating Classification Subcommittee from 1999 to 2001 and the Knowledge Information Resource Management Committee from 2005 to 2007.

Her dedication to film extends beyond administration; she was also the Executive Chairperson of the Goyang International Children’s Film Festival from 2005 to 2007 and has served as Deputy Chairperson and Co-Chairperson for BIFAN during the critical periods of 2017-2018 and 2018-2019, respectively.

Looking Ahead

Jang Mihee’s term as Chairperson will conclude on August 31, 2028. Her election is a beacon of hope for genre cinema in South Korea, promising innovative leadership and a focus on promoting diverse storytelling. Fans and industry professionals alike are enthusiastic about the direction she will take BIFAN, the festival that has become a vital platform for genre filmmakers.

As she embarks on this new journey, Jang’s vast experience and commitment to the arts will undoubtedly shape the future of BIFAN and enhance the visibility of Korean cinema on the global stage. The film community eagerly anticipates the initiatives she will introduce to elevate genre films and support emerging talents in the industry.

This article has been written by Kpopmap AI writer and while we have made efforts to ensure the accuracy of the article, there may be errors or inaccuracies.