DEBATES KOFF 2024
Available on the YouTube channel
MEDIATOR
Dr. Soleiman Dias
Director of International Relations at Chadwick International
DEBATE 1
30/11/2024
KOREAN FILM AND SOCIETY:
The Role of Korean Cinema in Addressing Social Issues
MEDIATOR
Dr. Soleiman Dias
Director of International Relations at Chadwick International
Soleiman Dias, born in Fortaleza, has lived in South Korea for 23 years and has an academic background in the USA, with a master’s degree in International Education and a PhD in International Relations from Hanyang University. He was a professor at renowned universities in the USA and Korea, teaching subjects such as International Relations, Asian Politics and Human Rights. He is currently Director of International Relations at Chadwick International, a reference school for innovation and global leadership. Founder of several initiatives, such as the Songdo Free Zone Foreigners’ Advisory Council, he is also co-author of the series “Lessons from the Other Side”, based on his letters about trips to countries such as North Korea and Kazakhstan.
GUEST
Dr. Josmar de Oliveira Reyes
Professor and researcher at Unisinos/RS
PhD in Information and Communication Sciences, Performing Arts and New Technologies from the Université de Paris 3 (Sorbonne Nouvelle), post-doctorate in South Korean Cinema from the Université de Paris 3 (Sorbonne Nouvelle), professor and researcher of the Directing Course Audiovisual by Unisinos (University of Vale do Rio dos Sinos);
GUEST
Kang Mina
Director
A film graduate from Myongji University, Kang Mina honed her visual sense by working on music videos while developing films in independent projects. She directed, wrote and edited four short films: Lemon Summer, Soup is Not Free, Cicadas and Beyond. In particular, Soup Is Not Free and Beyond were shown in KOFF competition in 2023 and 2024, respectively. Soup is not free received the best short film award at KOFF 2023. She is currently preparing a feature film.
GUEST
Razan Takash
Head of Film | SAE Dubai
Razan Takash, a Jordanian writer, director and producer, has over 12 years of experience in film and TV in the Middle East and UAE. Film Director at SAE University Dubai, she combines theory and practice in teaching film production. Takash has directed children’s programs for Majid Channel and contributed to Star Wars: The Force Awakens. His film Shah Mat won the 48 Hour Film Project Dubai in 2016, with awards for Best Director and Best Special Effects. In 2020, her short M1das received 14 awards at 24 international festivals, including Best Science Fiction Short and Best Female Director.
GUEST
Aileen Yujeong Min
Researcher
Aileen is a Master’s student in Film and Media Studies at Columbia University in New York, with research interests in aesthetics, intermediality, and textuality in contemporary East Asian visual culture. Her work focuses on Korean cinema, digital art, and literature, examining how these mediums intersect to shape cultural representation and human subjectivity.
GUEST
Vanderlei Henrique Mastropaulo
Film researcher and professor
Geographer from FFLCH (Faculty of Philosophy, Letters and Human Sciences) and master in Communication and Culture from PROLAM (Latin American Integration Program), both from USP. He worked as a cultural and audiovisual producer from 2010 to 2014. He has taught cinema courses and lectures since 2015, with an emphasis on Latin American and Asian filmmakers. He participated in the research team for the documentary “A Caixa-preta de Fernando Morais”, scheduled for release in 2025. He is currently directing the documentary “Penso, logo animo”, about the trajectory of the Campinas Animation Cinema Center.
MEDIATOR
Simon Mcenteggar
Associate Professor/Filmmaker Simon McEnteggart (University of Utah Asia Campus)
DEBATE 2
05/12/2024
POST-COVID CINEMA:
The Return of the Audiences to the Movie Theaters
MEDIATOR
Simon Mcenteggar
Associate Professor/Filmmaker Simon McEnteggart (University of Utah Asia Campus)
Simon McEnteggart is Associate Professor in the Cinema and Media Arts department at Asia University Campus in Incheon, South Korea, where he teaches Korean Cinema studies, film history and documentary filmmaking. He is also the writer and director of an upcoming documentary about Korean female filmmakers in the history of Korean cinema.
GUEST
Roberto Gervitz
Brazilian; “Braços Cruzados Máquinas Paradas”, director, screenwriter and editor, documentary feature film; “Happy old year” – screenwriter and director – fiction feature film; “Jogo Subterrâneo”, co-writer and director -Long fiction film; “Carandiru-Outras Histórias”, directs 4 episodes of the series, general director Hector Babenco; “Prova de Couragem”, screenwriter and director Fiction feature film; “Na Dança! doc”, direction and screenplay; documentary feature film. Festivals: Berlin, Montreal, International Exhibition (SP); awards: Leipzig; Lawn; La Habana; Palm Springs.
GUEST
Kim Kihyun
Director
Born in Korea in 1994. Graduated from the Department of Film and Television Production at Seoul University of the Arts. Currently studying Arts Management at Chung-Ang University School of Arts. Among his cinematographic works as a director are: 아빠는 슈퍼맨(My Father is Superman) (2012), 영화의 졸업(The Film Graduation) (2016), 그 여름의 끝(The End of That Summer) (2018) and Babari ( 2021).
• CEO of Saragon Content Lab
• News producer at MBN
• Production director of the internet variety show Captain Rock Indie
• KOFF Producer, Brazil
• Production director of Sometimes at OBS”
GUEST
Minom Pinho
Film producer
Businesswoman, creative film and visual arts producer, consultant and lecturer. She leads the production company Casa Redonda, FIM Cine – São Paulo International Festival of Women in Cinema and the startup Navega for online creative courses. He has produced and co-produced feature films with wide circulation in national and international markets and festivals. Cultural policy consultant with an emphasis on audiovisual serving companies, governments and social organizations. She is a member of +Mulheres – Brazilian Audiovisual Leadership and federal director of APACI – São Paulo Filmmakers Association.
GUEST
Robert Albertsen
CEO and Art Director of Spicy Gator Productions, LLC; Albie’s Art, owner and Professional Mixed-Media Artist.
Robert Michael Albertsen Jr. began his career in the U.S. Army, serving in the 82nd Airborne Division, where he developed discipline and attention to detail, receiving the Expert Infantryman Badge and other decorations. With experience in construction, design and physical security, he joined the Virtual Production program at DAVE School, joining a VFX team awarded a Silver Telly Award in 2024 for The Unending. Her digital works include book covers on Amazon, such as the Warrior Women of Superian Island series by Ace Johnson, highlighting her ability to bring creative visions to life. Owner of Albie’s Art and CEO of Spicy Gator Productions, LLC, he combines military precision and digital animation expertise to create custom designs, commemorative coins and high-quality 3D assets.
GUEST
Aileen Yujeong Min
Researcher
Aileen is a Master’s student in Film and Media Studies at Columbia University in New York, with research interests in aesthetics, intermediality, and textuality in contemporary East Asian visual culture. Her work focuses on Korean cinema, digital art, and literature, examining how these mediums intersect to shape cultural representation and human subjectivity.
MEDIATOR
João Paulo Amaral Schlittler
Associate Professor ECA USP
DEBATE 3
10/12/2024
KOREAN CINEMA AND THE GLOBAL MARKET:
The Global Impact of the Korean Wave in the Movie Industry
MEDIATOR
João Paulo Amaral Schlittler
Associate Professor ECA USP
Associate Professor of the Higher Audiovisual Course at ECA USP and in the Postgraduate Program in Design at FAU USP, he has a postgraduate degree in the specialty Animation and Design in Motion, a doctorate in Design and Architecture and a master’s degree in Interactive Telecommunications. He is the leader of ZOOTROPO – Animation and motion graphics study group. He was art director at HBO, Discovery Networks and TV Cultura.
GUEST
Hyojun Kim
Director
Hyojun Kim, born in Seoul in 1988, is a director known for his thought-provoking films that explore intimate and broader human relationships. He began his cinematic journey unexpectedly while still at school and has since developed a unique style, focusing on stories that stimulate reflection. His work has won numerous awards at major film festivals including Cannes, Busan and Seoul, with standout films including Última Cena (2023), Cut and Paste (2022) and Joker (2020).
GUEST
Carlos Zibel
University of Salford in Manchester – Film Production Program
Architect, designer, critic and curator, he is a contributing professor at the Postgraduate Program in Design at FAUUSP. He holds a bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate degree from FAUUSP, where he coordinated the Design Course (2009-2011) and worked as a researcher at NUTAU. His career spans architecture, design and art, with a focus on contemporary thinking, interaction and audiovisual. Awarded at the Museu da Casa Brasileira Design (2010), he has national and international publications and was curator of the 8th International Architecture Biennial. Currently, he works as a critic and visual artist, with extensive academic and professional experience.
GUEST
Hugo Katsuo
GUEST
Aileen Yujeong Min
Researcher
Aileen is a Master’s student in Film and Media Studies at Columbia University in New York, with research interests in aesthetics, intermediality, and textuality in contemporary East Asian visual culture. Her work focuses on Korean cinema, digital art, and literature, examining how these mediums intersect to shape cultural representation and human subjectivity.
GUEST
Liyu Arega
University of Salford in Manchester – Film Production Program
Having moved from Ethiopia to Korea in 2018, I attended and graduated from Chadwick International. I was in the graduating class of 2022 and upon completing my studies, I gained my full IB Diploma. I am currently a third-year film student studying at the University of Salford. Having found my passion for film while at Chadwick, I’m happily pursuing a career in film production. I have produced several films during my time at university and also have experience working as a 1st AD, production designer, and director. I have also volunteered at film festivals such as Sunrise Film Festival and Kino Film Festival and I have also had the wonderful opportunity to become a shadowing producer on a Welsh-language horror film.