12th DMZ International Documentary Film Festival
Opening of DMZ Industry and Establishment of IDFA Award
○ To be held at SONO Calm GOYANG in Goyang-si from September 21 to 24
○ Overcame restrictions on physical distance and time difference using online conference system
○ Confirmed 230 pre-booked meetings, showing enormous interests and expectations
○ Established IDFA Award with the world’s largest International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam (IDFA)
Improve program accessibility with live stream and online platform
DMZ Industry, which has developed into the largest platform for documentary industry in Asia, will be held at SONO Calm GOYANG, located in Goyang-si from September 21 to 24. Due to the recent increase of new COVID-19 cases, all events were under the influence of strict quarantine policy so the attendance on-site will be limited to project teams and selective panels. Instead, the event will enhance its online services with diverse tools and platforms where the industry guests can easily join the programs with no physical attendance necessary. Preparations were made to increase the sense of being in the venue and immersion in relation to the presentation of the projects by setting up a relay studio in SONO Calm, the venue for DMZ Industry, to connect the field operation team and online participants and using online tools that are convenient to use and highly accessible such as Zoom and Vimeo.
Prior to the event, DMZ Industry received advance meeting request from project teams and industry guests and secured 230 business meetings. And yet, DMZ Industry has been receiving quite a volume of new requests from industry guests and documentary filmmakers, which shows strong interest and will to join the event. All the meetings, arranged by DMZ Industry between project teams and industry guests, will take place with the help of meeting station set up in the venue. In order to accommodate the constant and high demand as fully as possible, DMZ Industry continues to receive and coordinate meeting requests during the event as well.
Newly-launched award sponsored by IDFA to expand opportunities for Asian Projects
DMZ Industry partnered with the world’s largest International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam (IDFA) and will launch the IDFA Award. The IDFA Award will choose one of the projects that are to pitch during the DMZ Industry. The award recipient will be given access to all online industry activities including IDFAcademy (a training program for emerging filmmakers) and observing the Forum (the world’s biggest pitching event) at IDFA 2020. IDFA is the world’s leading institution dedicated to the art and industry of documentary film and new media. IDFA supports filmmakers all over the world, connecting them across continents, genders, and generations. Through the collaboration with IDFA, DMZ Industry will strengthen its role as a launchpad for Asian documentary filmmakers where they can explore further opportunities on a global scale and reach out to partners around the world.
DMZ Industry also join forces with various organizations and institutions for documentary filmmakers while more restrictions have been applied on developing collaborative relations inside and outside the country due to COVID-19. DMZ Industry signed the MOU with EBS on program exchange and production support. It also launched production support fund with NEWSTAPA Foundation, which leads journalism documentary. It is highly expected.
From the opening day of DMZ Industry onwards, Media Library will be available online, which will allow the industry guests to view videos of this year’s official projects such as trailers, rough cut and pitch videos without the limitation on physical distance and time. This online service is sponsored by an emerging OTT platform, MovieBloc. The service will be accessible for two months from September 21, the opening date, to November 30 for registered guests only.
DMZ Industry will host pitch sessions and arrange business meetings for four days from September 21 onwards and finish its unprecedented journey on September 24 with the DMZ Industry Awards. The awards are to provide in-kind supports such as post-production, marketing, and invitation to partner film festivals or markets alongside the provision of the 220 million won fund to encourage the completion of works.
The 12th DMZ International Documentary Film Festival opened at Megabox Baekseok on September 17 and will continue until September 24.