© JIFF 2002.

South Korea's recent successful progress in the football/soccer World Cup is perhaps reflective of their increasing presence in many fields. They have overcome economic setbacks, and just like their footballers, show a determination and spirit that you can only admire.

Koreans love films -- and, especially, animation. Knowing their enthusiasm, I was delighted to be invited to the Jeonju International Film Festival (www.jiff.or.kr), which ran from April 26 - May 2, 2002. Two of my films were being screened in a program entitled "War and Animation" -- Jimmy Murakami's When The Wind Blows, which I executive produced, and War Game, directed by Dave Unwin.

Jeonju is a prosperous city in the mid-south of South Korea and in fact is an ideal location -- being relatively compact, and in a very attractive setting, surrounded as it is by wooded hills. It also has the most fantastic new media center, complete with concert hall, theatres, lecture rooms and natural outdoor amphitheater. The only disadvantage is its distance from the center: a 20 minute taxi ride though as it only costs the equivalent of a few dollars, and you could take the festival bus, the main concern (for some) is that of wasted energy.

The festival is only in its third edition, with the animation being offered on a biannual basis. The animation program was extensive: as well as "War," the festival included a Raoul Servais retrospective, a focus on Czech animation, Japanese shorts and independent Korean animation. Over 100 films in all, dating back to 1927 and including some wonderful Len Lye films.