The capabilities of the latest generations of smartphones far surpass simply making calls and texting friends and loved ones. Rather, these phones have opened up the world to a new way to not only see movies, but to produce and direct them as well.

Famed Korean film director and screenwriter Bong Joon-ho has been selected as the chairman of the film screening committee for this year’s upcoming 3rd Olleh International Smartphone Film Festival. Director Bong is most famous for his 2006 movie, “The Host,” which was one of the highest-grossing Korean movies of all time and won him the Best Film Award at the Asian Film Awards and at the Blue Dragon Film Awards.

The Olleh International Smartphone Film Festival is an annual competition where contestants, both local and international, produce short movies solely using their smartphones. The theme of this year’s film festival, “The Quest for Dream Begins,” is based on the simple principle that anyone who owns a smartphone can become a great film director.

This year’s smartphone film festival will run from April 17 to 20 at Seoul Square. The grand prize winner will take home 10 million won in prize money along with a new smartphone. Creative film makers who wish to participate in the event can submit their film entries from Feb. 1-28.

By Julie Jackson (juliejackson@heraldcorp.com)