S. Korean film contest announces lineup

SEOUL, Nov. 13 (Yonhap) -- Organizers of South Korea's annual Blue Dragon
(Cheongryong) Film Awards announced 22 candidates Friday including the
Cannes-winning "Thirst" and box-office smash "Haeundae."

The 30th Blue Dragon awards, one of the most prestigious in Korea organized by
sports newspaper Sports Chosun, will be held Dec. 2 after the jury members choose
winners in 15 categories including best film, director, actor and actress,
organizers said in a press release.
Created in 1963 by the vernacular daily Chosun Ilbo, the annual Blue Dragon
awards was discontinued in 1973, to be later resurrected by Sports Chosun in
1990.
The Blue Dragon Film Awards considers only blockbusters and popular movies of
high artistic value released during the previous year. During the selection
process, movies that have made it to the final list are screened to the public.
The ceremony opens after the screenings are over.
This year, box office hits "Haeundae" and "Take Off," Cannes-invited "Thirst" and
"Mother," and Pusan Film Festival opener "Good Morning, President" will be
competing for the best film.
Female director Lim Soon-rye's "Forever the Moment" was selected Blue Dragon's
best film last year while Kim Ji-woon of "The Good, the Bad, and the Weird" was
named best director.
hayney@yna.co.kr
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