TLDR: Pohang is set to host a significant portion of the 2025 Gyeongbuk International AI and Metaverse Film Festival (GAMFF) from September 13-14, a pioneering event in Korea that merges cutting-edge AI and metaverse technologies with film and art. The festival aims to position Pohang as an ‘AI Cultural Convergence City’ and features AI Art Tech Awards, film screenings, director Q&A sessions, and an interactive AI experience zone.
Pohang City is preparing to host a key segment of the 2025 Gyeongbuk International AI and Metaverse Film Festival (GAMFF) at Hyoja Art Hall from September 13 to 14. This festival is distinguished as Korea’s sole convergence cultural event that seamlessly integrates advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and the metaverse into the realms of film and the arts. The broader festival will span three days, from September 12 to 14, across four cities and counties in Gyeongbuk Province: Gumi, Pohang, Gyeongsan, and Cheongdo.
The GAMFF is envisioned as an international platform for Pohang to expand its ambition of becoming Korea’s ‘AI capital’ into the cultural industry sector. It seeks to present a new urban paradigm, transforming Pohang into an ‘AI Cultural Convergence City’ by proactively broadening the horizons of AI integration. Gyeongbuk Province, a leader in AI industry transformation, aims to leverage this festival to spearhead the innovative development of AI and the virtual convergence industry, fostering growth as a future film industry hub.
Key programs in Pohang include the prestigious AI Art Tech Awards, dedicated to recognizing domestic and international works that incorporate advanced technologies like AI and visual effects (VFX). Attendees can also look forward to GAMFF film screenings and engaging director Q&A sessions (GV). An interactive AI experience zone will be set up outside the venue, offering AR and VR experiences, an OLED TV video viewing area, and various AI-powered activities such as a photo studio, beauty shop, fortune telling, personal assistant, and music production.
Highlighting the film screenings, the animated feature ‘King of Kings,’ starring renowned actors Lee Byunghun, Jin Seonkyu, and Lee Hanee, will be shown for free on September 13 at 12:00 p.m. On September 14 at 11:00 a.m., the film ‘Yadang,’ featuring Yoo Haejin, Kang Haneul, and Park Haejoon, will also be screened free of charge, anticipating significant public interest. Director Pil Gamseong of ‘Zombie Daughter’ and director Hwang Byeongguk of ‘Yadang’ are scheduled to participate in the GV sessions, offering deeper insights into their works.
The festival will present a total of eight awards for works that effectively integrate AI and VFX. Additionally, a global video competition, held in preparation for the festival, awarded a total prize pool of 100 million KRW (approximately $73,000) across 30 winning works, with winners announced at the opening ceremony on September 12 at GumiCo Convention Center. The organizing committee is actively promoting participation through social media campaigns and expanding contest categories, building on the success of last year’s edition which received 527 submissions from 42 countries.
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Pohang Mayor Lee Kangdeok emphasized the festival’s role, stating, “This film festival has provided an opportunity for Pohang to become a city where digital technology and cultural content grow together. We will continue to strengthen our global competitiveness by focusing on both digital transformation and the development of the cultural industry.” Gyeongbuk Governor Lee Cheolwoo further affirmed, “This festival will serve as a crucial opportunity for North Gyeongsang Province to lead the innovative development of AI and the virtual convergence industry and to grow as a hub for the future film industry. Gyeongbuk Province will continue to provide strong policy support for the fostering of AI and the virtual convergence industry.”
