Calling all filmmakers and urban explorers - DOTAM FILM FESTIVAL to show films that examine urban spaces
At the upcoming Dotam Film Festival., the subculture once hidden in the shadows is ready to step into the limelight with stories of local exploration and discovery. DoTam (a concise form of 도시탐험, the Korean term for urban exploration) is a film festival that promises a cinematic journey through abandoned structures, subterranean areas, and dangerous rooftops. Taking place at Eulji Space, the aim of this event is to bridge the longstanding foreign urban exploration community with its emerging Korean counterpart.
Jon Dunbar, the man behind this event, is a seasoned urban explorer. Here, he talks to us about the founding of the event and the plans for this new film festival. Jon is keen to highlight one important aim of the event: to connect the foreign film-making community and the Korean one. "In the clandestine world of urban exploration in Korea, finding like-minded individuals has been a challenge," explains Jon Dunbar, festival founder. "Most of my network has been comprised of foreigners, but a chance encounter revealed a thriving Korean exploring scene last year."
"The festival is a bridge between these two worlds," he affirms. "We aim to showcase roughly 50% Korean and 50% foreign exploration videos, fostering collaboration and providing global recognition to Korean explorers."
The event will take place in Eulji Space, a theatre in the centre of Seoul famous for boundary-pushing and community-driven events. "Eulji Space was a natural choice for the festival venue," Jon explains. "Recommended by a collaborator, its versatility, with a restaurant, library, movie theatre, bar, and a picturesque rooftop, offers an ideal setting for screening exploration videos and hosting live music."
"Conan Kim, an operator of Eulji Space, is a crucial collaborator, ensuring a seamless partnership between the festival and its host venue," he adds.
In the spirit of DIY film events, the organisers are keen to point out that all participants will maintain the rights to their films. "In the digital age, video rights are a crucial concern for urban explorers," he acknowledges. "Our work, both visuals and data, is often proprietary. The festival is not a commercial venture; we aim to minimise financial transactions and assure participants that the focus is on sharing stories and experiences rather than profiting."
"Don't anticipate lucrative cash prizes," he emphasises. "The festival is about exploring narratives within the urban landscape, sharing the dark and captivating stories of discovery."
As the DoTam Film Festival prepares to unravel the enigmatic world of urban exploration, it invites audiences to witness firsthand the convergence of darkness and discovery on the silver screen. Through the power of storytelling, the festival promises to be an immersive experience where the urban explorers' quotes echo in the minds of attendees long after the credits roll.
If you’re interested in getting involved, please visit Dotam Film Festival on Instagram here.
