Gyeongbuk International AI Metaverse Film Festival opens in Gumi

The 2026 Gyeongbuk International AI Metaverse Film Festival (GAMFF) opened in Gumi, South Korea, featuring a record-breaking 3,403 entries from 97 countries. The grand prize was awarded to director Lee Sang-hoon for ‘Oasis’, a work utilizing advanced AI technology to explore human desire and destruction.

The festival, which also extends to Pohang and Gyeongsan, aims to connect specialized regional industries—such as AI-based gaming and special effects—with global creators. Alongside the film screenings, the event includes B2B exhibitions and expert discussions on the future of the AI video industry.

In conjunction with the festival, an AI business meeting was held to discuss how artificial intelligence can address regional challenges in Gyeongsangbuk-do. Participants proposed using AI and digital twin technology to manage rural vacancies, support foreign worker settlement, and create youth employment opportunities. Several companies presented AI-driven solutions, including administrative agents, automated short-form drama production, and emotional care robots.