ClumpRoll

and it's FREEEE!

This is only the 2nd year of the Short Film section at the New York Korean Film Festival, and they're doing something crazy - all three short film programs are completely free.  That's right, free. Each program covers 5 short films, and at each one there will be a video message or an in-person appearance by one of the short filmmakers. So they've timed a "sort-of" wrap-up party (with no cover charge, natch) after the screenings that night so that we can meet the filmmakers and festival staff in a casual setting.  Sort-of, because the actual rest of the Korean Film Festival still goes on for another three days at BAM Rose Cinemas in Brooklyn.

Anyway, the short films all cover a range of topics from, by, of, or starring Koreans and Korean-Americans, and this year there's a juried section of finalists. There's even James Kyson Lee from the hit NBC TV show Heroes in a short called Beef Palace (far right) about what else, the meaty foods, love and sex. The animation shorts like In Your Eyes look real good, 'cause you know, everyone knows that the Simpsons and every other anime from Japan, animation from US and Disney is outsourced to the capable Korean hands of the world.

So to summarize, there's 15 short films, all free, on one night, at Cinema Village. And then a party at Forum, with no cover charge. short film + party = i like~

Check it out! I'm bringing some friends to expose them to the fine cinematic sensibilites of the independents (films, that is)! And of course, to party!

• www.koreanfilmfestival.org (More)
   

This cute little fella looking like a yellow marshmallow peep has got the moves even with no appendages to speak of. If only I was graced with half the rythmic funkiness of this guy. The robot named "Keepon" dances to the tune of "Don't You Evah" by Spoon.
Too bad it's not retail yet - only R&D for now - or else I would have bought one in a jiff.
You know, 'cause I heart dancing lil robots. There, I said it. ^______^

Beatbots.org via BoingBoing

The 7th New York Korean Film Festival 2007 starts this Tuesday and it turning out to be their biggest yet. Everything from romantic comedy to historical drama, the gangster flick and even documentary are represented. That includes 16 of the latest Korean movies from 2006 and 2007, a 4-film retrospective of renowned Mr. "101-films" director Im Kwon-Taek, 8 horror films (or rather 7 horror + 1 moody drama) and an expanded full day of short films for free(!). There will be a number of parties, and 2 special guest directors from Korea this year. Being pretty much the only chance for us to see these films in a theater-setting outside of Korea, I'm definitely looking forward to the fest.

• www.koreanfilmfestival.org
• podcast introducing this year's festival
  at right: image from Family Ties, one of the films from the fest