The 29th Busan International Film Festival Opens Submissions
Applications now open for the CHANEL X BIFF Asian Film Academy 2024
Ellen Y. D. Kim Appointed as Director of Asian Contents & Film Market
LEE Young-ae to Receive Excellence in Asian Cinema Award at the 17th AFA
2024 Asian Cinema Fund Opens Submissions
Annoucing the Nominees for the 17th Asian Film Awards
YOSHIKI’s directorial debut YOSHIKI: UNDER THE SKY | Clip featuring Yoshiki and The Chainsmokers
Lights, Camera, Cannes: The 39th vOilah! French Film Festival Invites Singapore to Dive into the Magic of French Cinema
2023 CHANEL X BIFF Asian Film Academy Finishes
The 28th Busan International Film Festival Announces ‘Busan Vision Awards’ Winners
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Announcing the Winners of the 2023 Asian Project Market (APM) 11 Awards
The 2023 Asian Project Market (APM) announced the award winners on Oct 10 (Tues) during the APM 2023 Awards Ceremony at the Paradise Hotel Busan Grand Ballroom, concluding its 4-day journey. This year, APM 2023 garnered attention with the selection of 30 projects from 13 countries, including new projects by Asian filmmakers discovered by the Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) and co-production projects between the Americas, Europe, and Asia. A total of 826 business meetings were conducted from Oct 7 (Sat) to Oct 10 (Tues), with 196 attendees from 140 companies participating, solidifying the production of prospective new projects. Additionally, two new awards—the New Horse Award and ONE COOL Award, sponsored by Dreama Pictures and One Cool Pictures, each committing 15,000 USD in cash—were introduced, bringing the total award categories to 11. Of the 30 projects from 13 countries selected for APM 2023, Rafael Manuel’s Filipinana, a triple-crown winner, received the TAICCA Award, ArteKino International Award, and Kongchak Studio Award. Hirose Nanako’s What’s Love Got to Do with It? and Jiang Xiaoxuan’s To Kill a Mongolian Horse won 2 awards each, with the CJ ENM and ARRI Awards, and the VIPO and Sørfond Awards, respectively. The CJ ENM Award, a sponsor of APM projects since 2009, garnered attention for its selection of a Japanese project for the first time. Anticipation surrounds the future projects from Asian directors who showcased their well-made feature film projects at APM 2023. ■ The 28th Busan International Film Festival: Oct 4 (Wed) – Oct 13 (Fri) ■ The 18th Asian Contents & Film Market: Oct 7 (Sat) – Oct 10 (Tues)
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The 28th Busan International Film Festival Introduces LG OLED New Currents & Vision Award
The 28th Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) has introduced newly established awards with LG Electronics to strengthen the capabilities of emerging directors and independent filmmakers in Korea and Asia. - Introducing the LG OLED New Currents & Vision Awards! - LG Electronics to Support and Foster Independent Films The LG OLED New Currents Award, newly introduced this year, will choose its awardee from the 10 New Currents selections. At the same time, LG OLED Vision Award targets 12 projects, including the 10 selections of the Korean Cinema Today – Vision section and the 2 Korean selections from New Currents. A cash grant of KRW 30,000,000 will be awarded to each recipient of the LG OLED New Currents and LG OLED Vision Awards. The New Currents category, a competition for the first or second feature film by up-and-coming Asian filmmakers, and the Korean Cinema Today – Vision category, introducing the newest Korean independent films with high quality and unique vision, are the main programs at the Busan International Film Festival. The New Currents section will feature 10 projects that will meet with the audience at the 28th Busan International Film Festival. SEPTEMBER 1923 by Mori Tatsuya, a 2022 Asian Project Market (APM) selection based on the mass murder of Joseon people during the Kantō Massacre; That Summer’s Lie, a teenage melodrama by Sohn Hyun-lok; The Wrestler, the feature debut by director Iqbal H. Chowdhury, centered around Boli Khela, a traditional form of wrestling in Bangladesh; director Lee Jong-su’s Heritage, which garners curiosity with a unique style of cinematic dialogue; Borrowed Time by Choy Ji; Rajesh S. Jala’s The Spark, a 2023 Asian Cinema Fund (ACF) Post-Production Fund recipient; Solids by the Seashore, a directorial debut by Patiparn Boontarig; The Stranger by Biplob Sarkar; After the Fever by Yamamoto Akira, which portrays delicate changes of emotion in a striking manner; and Oasis of Now, director Chia Chee Sum’s film about a girl who has a secret. Korean Cinema Today – Vision will also showcase 10 selections. The Guest by Yeon Jegwang, a thrilling chase between the murderer and witness of a murder case; Delivery by Jang Min-joon, depicting the irony of survival; Concerning My Daughter by Lee Mirang, based on the novel of the same title; FAQ by Kim Da-min, a sci-fi adventure and comic fantasy about a girl named Dong-chun; Eu-min Kim’s Isle of Snakes, which depicts the humorous adventures of three men stranded on a deserted island; Sorigouldari: The Sound Underpass by Gupasu Ryunhoi, in which a group of artists saves humanity by stopping the end of the world; House of the Seasons by Oh Jung-min, intricately weaving the stories of three generations of a family; Last Summer by Choi Seung-woo, a soothing depiction of the seasons and scenery of life; The Berefts by Jeong Beom and Hur Jang, a calm yet solemn drama; and the ACF 2023 Post-Production Fund selection, Work to Do by Park Hong-jun. These films reflecting Korean cinema's vision will be screened at the 28th Busan International Film Festival. The panel of judges for The LG OLED New Currents Award consists of the jury president, film critic Jung Sung-il; Ava Cahen, artistic director of the La Semaine de la Critique at Cannes; Indonesian filmmaker Edwin; producer Christina Oh of Okja (2027) and Minari (2020); and director Han Junhee of the drama series D.P. (2021) and D.P. 2 (2023). The LG OLED Vision Award winner will be selected by a jury composed of 3 film professionals; Park Inje, who directed the film, The Mayor (2017), and drama series, Kingdom Season 2 (2019) and Moving (2023); Chang Youngyoup, CEO of the Korean weekly film magazine, Cine 21; and film critic Hong Eunmi, the Independent Film Festival Busan programmer and editor-in-chief of Indie Critique. “Through the establishment of the LG OLED New Currents & Vision Awards, we are supporting the independent film creators in Korea and Asia to try new technical attempt in their artwork.” said Kate Oh, vice president of the Brand Communication Division at the LG Home Entertainment Company. “In addition, we inspire the movie fans around the world to experience infinite possibilities of visual artistry with LG OLED TV that offers the differentiated viewing experiences." Busan International Film Festival’s Korean cinema programmer, Jung Hanseok, expressed his anticipation of the new collaboration, saying, “While we have been considering the means to support filmmakers in Korea, we had achieved the positive outcome through closer cooperation with LG Electronics. We will continuously support emerging and independent filmmakers in Korea and Asia.” The LG OLED New Currents Award and LG OLED Vision Award, sponsored by LG Electronics, will be presented at the Busan Vision Awards, which will take place on Oct 12 (Thurs). The 28th Busan International Film Festival, which is garnering much anticipation, will be held for 10 days from Oct 4 (Wed) to Oct 13 (Fri) in the vicinity of the Busan Cinema Center. ■ The 28th Busan International Film Festival: Oct 4 (Wed) – Oct 13 (Fri) ■ The 18th Asian Contents & Film Market: Oct 7 (Sat) – Oct 10 (Tues)
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Announcing the Winners of the 2023 Asia Contents Awards & Global OTT Awards
The 2023 Asia Contents Awards & Global OTT Awards (ACA & G.OTT Awards), held on Oct 8 (Sun) at the BIFF Theater in the Busan Cinema Center, have announced this year’s winners. - Outstanding Global Content of the Year, All in One Place! The Asia Contents Awards honors outstanding TV, OTT, and online content from Asia. This year, the Asia Contents Awards & Global OTT Awards, jointly hosted by the Ministry of Science and ICT and Busan Metropolitan City, have expanded the nominee scope from Asia to the rest of the world. Moreover, the awards categories have increased from 12 to 17, introducing 5 newly added awards. Officially sponsored by U+mobile tv and U+tv, the awards ceremony was hosted by actor Kim Kangwoo and Momoland's Nancy. Also, the talented K-pop girl group Alice and singer-songwriter Lee Seung-yoon delivered special performances, adding to the festive atmosphere. First, the Best Creative award, given to the top work of the year, went to the sensational Disney+ series, Moving. Moving also received the Best Visual Effects award and the Best Writer award, which was presented to the writer Kang Full. Actor Ryu Seung Ryong, who portrayed a father with a superpower attempting to save his family, delivered a remarkable performance, earning him the Best Lead Actor award. Furthermore, Actors Lee Jung Ha and Go Youn Jung, who showed youthful romance in acting, each secured the Best Newcomer Actor and Actress awards, respectively. Best OTT Original was awarded to Weak Hero Class 1. Weak Hero Class 1 is being broadcast simultaneously on platforms such as KOCOWA in the United States and iQIYI in Taiwan and the US, securing great popularity in Korea and worldwide. Scoop won 2 awards: Best Asian TV Series and Best Lead Actress, which went to Karishma Tanna. The Best Reality & Variety award winners are LET'S FEAST VIETNAM and Physical: 100. Hsueh Shih-Ling won the Best Supporting Actor award for Taiwan Crime Stories, and the Best Supporting Actress award went to Lim Ji-yeon of The Glory. Xin Shuang of The Long Season received the award for Best Director. The Lifetime Achievement Award honored the late Kim Jonghak, known for directing renowned TV series such as Sandglass (1995) and The Legend (2007). The Asian Excellence Award was given to Yagira Yuya for his outstanding performance in Gannibal. The Rising Star of the Year Award was jointly won by Wen JunHui, the vocal of the K-pop boygroup SEVENTEEN, who played a lead role in Exclusive Fairytale, and Buffy Chen. The Creative Beyond Border award, given in honor of the content that pioneered a new genre on OTT, was jointly awarded to EXchange2 and One Day Off. The New Technology Award was presented to TVING. VIU and wave Americas became the first recipients of The Special Contribution for K-Contents. VIU is the Hong Kong telecommunications company PCCW's OTT streaming platform, and wave Americas is a joint partnership formed by SK Telecom and the three major Korean broadcasters (KBS, MBC, SBS). Lastly, the Special Contribution for OTT Industry award was claimed by WATCHA.
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Asia’s Leading Content Market, Asian Contents & Film Market 2023 Opens
The Asian Contents & Film Market (ACFM), a comprehensive platform for trading content ranging from films and video to IPs such as books, webtoons, web novels, and stories, opens tomorrow on Oct 7 (Sat). ACFM is the content industry's hub, where professionals gather for rights transactions and networking. ACFM 2023 will be held from Oct 7 (Sat) to Oct 10 (Tues) for 4 days at Hall 1, Exhibition Center 1 of BEXCO. Attendees include representatives from sales and licensing companies, buyers, producers, and investors from different countries. 877 companies across 49 countries and 1,939 industry professionals have registered for the market. A total of 271 companies and organizations from 23 countries, including 32 first-timers, will have booths representing domestic and international sales agencies. These booths are vital to the purpose of ACFM: to encourage transactions involving film and audiovisual copyrights. The European Film Promotion (EFP), which has been participating since the first Asian Film Market of 2006, and Unifrance have jointly opened the European Pavilion with the participation of 39 companies. With the European Pavilion, there are 10 country pavilions in total this year, including Korea, Taiwan, Japan, Philippines, Thailand, Mongolia, and newcomers Indonesia, Kyrgyzstan, and Austria. Among the Korean sales companies are Contents Panda (NEW), K-Movie Entertainment, CJ ENM, Lotte Entertainment, Showbox, M-line Distribution, Finecut, KT Alpha, Hive Filmworks, and newcomers Barunson E&A and Plus M Entertainment, which are hosting booths for the first time. Toyou Dream, Metacraft, and Sigongsa will have booths that sell original stories. In addition, organizations such as the Busan IT Industry Promotion Agency and Jeju Contents Agency will introduce outstanding local IPs. And, at Busan Story Market, which introduces high-quality IPs from Korea and Asia, studios including Studio Dragon, Studio S, and Studio Lululala (SLL)—along with 200 industry officials from drama series productions to investors such as Studio&New, Whynot Media, and Pan Entertainment—will participate. Expectations are high for ACFM 2023 as it offers insight into the current and future landscape of the content industry in South Korea and Asia. The conference will introduce outstanding original IPs from South Korea and Asia. It includes a rich lineup of events covering the latest trends in the content industry, such as pitching sessions and legal and technology seminars. These events are organized in collaboration with relevant domestic and international organizations. Additionally, various programs will run concurrently on-site. One such program is the Asia Project Market (APM), which seeks out feature-length independent film projects in Asia for co-production and investment opportunities. Another program, Platform Busan, serves as a networking platform for emerging Asian filmmakers. The Asian Contents & Film Market 2023, which is expanding every year, will be held for 4 days starting tomorrow, Oct 7 (Sat), until Oct 10 (Tues), at Hall 1, Exhibition Center 1 of BEXCO in Busan. ■ The 28th Busan International Film Festival: Oct 4 (Wed) – Oct 13 (Fri) ■ The 18th Asian Contents & Film Market: Oct 7 (Sat) – Oct 10 (Tues)
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The 28th Busan International Film Festival Opening Ceremony To Be Streamed Live
The highly anticipated 28th Busan International Film Festival (BIFF), which will run for 10 days, will stream its opening ceremony live on its official YouTube channel and NaverTV tomorrow (Oct 4). The 28th Busan International Film Festival takes off tomorrow with its opening ceremony, marking the start of its 10-day journey. With Korea’s most beloved actor, Song Kang Ho, as the opening ceremony host, this year’s BIFF will screen 209 official selections from 69 countries and 60 films from Community BIFF selections, totaling 269 films this year. Audiences can enjoy films at 4 main screening venues with 25 screens - Busan Cinema Center, CGV Centum City, LOTTE CINEMA Centum City, and LOTTE CINEMA Daeyoung. This year’s guest list is packed with globally acclaimed guests from Korea and Asia, including none other than the ‘Big Brother’ of Hong Kong cinema, as well as this year’s recipient of the Asian Filmmaker of the Year Award - Chow Yun Fat. In addition, audiences are expected to enjoy various events and programs such as Open Talks, Outdoor Greetings, and Actors’ House. Adding onto the anticipation is the announcement of the lineup, including both films of virtuosos and new works by emerging filmmakers who are ready to lead the next generation of Asian cinema. On the other hand, the Asian Contents & Film Market (ACFM) continues to break its own record each year with increased participation. This year, the ACFM returns with an upgraded curriculum for the CHANEL X BIFF Asian Film Academy, Community BIFF, and BIFF Everywhere, marking its 6th anniversary with a program that focuses on its essence of audience participation, the Asia Contents Awards & Global OTT Awards with its expansion to cover OTT contents from all over the world, and more. The 28th Busan International Film Festival will stream its opening ceremony live on BIFF’s official YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/@Busanfilmfest) and NaverTV (tv.naver.com/biff23) on Oct 4 (Wed) at 18:00 KST. The live stream will allow those unable to visit Busan in person to watch Asia’s largest film festival take off and feel present. As anticipation rises with the opportunity to catch the opening ceremony through a live stream, the 28th Busan International Film Festival will be held from Oct 4 (Wed) to Oct 13 (Fri) in the vicinity of the Busan Cinema Center. ■ The 28th Busan International Film Festival: Oct 4 (Wed) – Oct 13 (Fri) ■ The 18th Asian Contents & Film Market: Oct 7 (Sat) – Oct 10 (Tues)
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Actor Park Eun-bin to be the First-Ever Solo Host for the Opening Ceremony of BIFF 2023
Actor Lee Je-hoon will be unable to co-host the opening ceremony of the 28th Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) due to health constraints. The BIFF decided to have Park Eun-bin host solo instead of searching for another male host to accompany her. Park Eun-bin is now announced as the host for the grand opening of the festival, making her the first-ever solo host for the BIFF opening ceremony. Actor Park Eun-bin, beloved by every generation for her boundless talent in acting, has become one of the most prominent actors in Korea. Her notable works include The King’s Affection (2021), which won the first International Emmy Award as a Korean drama series, where Park performed as the first-ever cross-dressing queen in a Korean historical drama. Additionally, Extraordinary Attorney Woo (2022) earned Park the Best Actress at the 4th Asia Contents Awards and the Grand Prize in TV at the 59th Baeksang Arts Awards, receiving phenomenal popularity worldwide. With Park Eun-bin hosting the opening ceremony with her charming energy, other world-renowned celebrities from Korea and Asia will also participate to illuminate the ceremony with their presence. The 28th Busan International Film Festival will be held from Oct 4 (Wed) to Oct 13 (Fri) in the vicinity of the Busan Cinema Center. ■ The 28th Busan International Film Festival: Oct 4 (Wed) – Oct 13 (Fri) ■ The 18th Asian Contents & Film Market: Oct 7 (Sat) – Oct 10 (Tues)
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The 28th Busan International Film Festival Presents Diverse European Films & Filmmakers
The 28th Busan International Film Festival (BIFF), which runs for 10 days from Oct 4 (Wed) to Oct 13 (Fri), will present 70 European films in association with the European Film Promotion (EFP). - From the Works of Virtuosos to Emerging Directors! Taking a Closer Look at European Cinema Today Anticipation is High as European Artists Continue to Confirm Attendance! EFP is an international network of film promotion institutes from 37 European countries, overseeing the promotion of diversity and spirit of European cinema and talent. The Busan International Film Festival will present 70 European films that have captured the attention of the world this year, and filmmakers from all parts of Europe are expected to come to Busan. Furthermore, EFP and Unifrance will join the 32 European international sales agencies participating in the 2023 Asian Contents & Film Market, which takes off on Oct 7 (Sat). This year at BIFF, audiences can expect to see a diverse slate of films ranging from critically acclaimed virtuosos’ newest films to highly anticipated works of emerging directors that showcase the current state of European cinema. Director Bertrand Bonello's The Beast, which garnered exceptional reviews after it screened at the 80th Venice Film Festival, and Luc Besson's Dogman, will have its Asian premiere at the Busan International Film Festival. In addition, excitement continues to rise for the audience, as a GV event is scheduled with directors Bertrand Bonello and Luc Besson in attendance. Furthermore, the World Cinema section presents Housekeeping for Beginners by Goran Stolevski, which was recently selected as North Macedonia’s Oscar international submission. Another film in this section is Elene Naveriani's Blackbird Blackbird Blackberry, which was selected as part of Directors’ Fortnight at the 76th Cannes Film Festival. Audience should not miss the wide range of outstanding films that encapsulate the current trends of world cinema. In the Flash Forward section where new directors are introduced, Alain Parroni's An Endless Sunday, winner of the Orizzonti Special Jury Award at the 80th Venice Film Festival, and Anaïs Tellenne’s The Dreamer, which is deemed a heartbreaking 21st century version of a Beauty and the Beast love story, and The Peasants by DK Welchman and Hugh Welchman, who drew rave reviews from the media and critics for recreating Van Gogh's oil painting style in Loving Vincent (2017), will be competing. Various networking events are also scheduled to initiate conversation with European filmmakers visiting BIFF this year. On Oct 8 (Sun) at 22:00 KST at Schedule Haeundae, the ‘EFPxBIFF Network Party (BIFF the EUROPE! Cocktail)’ will take off with the Italian Film Council (Cinecittà). Here, European filmmakers, including directors, actors, and producers, will get to introduce their works directly. This event is especially generating excitement as prominent European actors, filmmakers, and producers confirmed their attendance such as Bertrand Bonello (The Beast), Luc Besson (Dogman), Thomas Reichlin (Blackbird Blackbird Blackberry), Goran Stolevski (Housekeeping for Beginners), Anaïs Tellenne (The Dreamer), Raphael Thiéry (The Dreamer), Alain Parroni (An Endless Sunday), and Ivan Pribicevic (The Peasants). Another noteworthy event is ‘Cinematic Crossroads: Navigating European and Asian Film Markets’, co-hosted by Ties That Bind (TTB) and EFP. The event will be held in Event Room C, Exhibition Center 1, BEXCO on Oct 9 (Mon) at 14:00. Representative distributors from Europe and Asia will attend to discuss both the hardships and opportunities they encounter when introducing each other to Asian and European audiences. EFP’s Deputy Managing Director Jo Mühlberger noted, “We are delighted to see such a large number of European films in the festival programme. The festival and market are both very important places for promoting European films outside of Europe. The enthusiastic and warm welcome given to European cinema by the festival’s audience underscores the event’s significance in the region as a promotional platform.” To which, BIFF Programmer Seo Seunghee added, “This year’s selections of the Busan International Film Festival not only include films by masters and award-winning films from other prestigious film festivals, but also films by young, emerging directors. Also more than 15 films co-produced by Asian and European countries are selected this year, reconfirming that the Busan International Film Festival is a site for Asian films and European films to intermingle.” As anticipation rises with a diverse roster of European films to be screened, the 28th Busan International Film Festival will be held for 10 days from Oct 4 (Wed) to Oct 13 (Fri). ■ The 28th Busan International Film Festival: Oct 4 (Wed) – Oct 13 (Fri) ■ The 18th Asia Contents & Film Market: Oct 7 (Sat) – Oct 10 (Tues)
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The 15th DMZ Docs has concluded after 8 days of run
The 15th DMZ International Documentary Film Festival (Executive Chairman CHANG HAE RANG, hereinafter referred to as ‘DMZ Docs’) held a closing ceremony at CGV Goyang Baekseok Theater 7 on Thursday, September 21, and announced this year's award-winning films, concluding its eight-day run. The closing ceremony, hosted by announcer Shin Ji-hye at CGV Goyang Baekseok at 7 PM on the 21st (Thursday), was attended by DMZ Docs invited guests and the audience, and an awards ceremony for the ‘Competition’ category and the ‘Special Award’ was held. In the international competition category, awards were given in a total of three categories, including the Grand prize, Special jury award, and Jury Special Mention. In addition, the Frontier Grand Prize, Jury Special Mention, and the Korean Competition's Features Grand Prize and Short Grand Prize were announced, respectively. Special awards included competition and non-competition categories among Korean feature films, as well as Outstanding Aesthetic Achievement, Social Solidarity, and Emerging Documentary Filmmaker(Sponsor Association Award). This year's Grand Prize in the international competition category was director Sylvain George's Obscure Night-Goodbye Here, Anywhere, which was awarded a prize of 20 million won. Obscure Night-Goodbye Here, Anywhere is a sequel to Obscure Night-Wild Grass (2022) and raises important topics of our time, such as refugees and migration, by focusing on immigrants trying to cross the land border between Africa and Europe. The judges praised him with “To live on the border, to exist without a country, is to become an eternal ‘outsider” and “The film is not satisfied with simply recording and observing the strength of such energetic beings, but rather shows the will to pursue them tenaciously in order to create rude yet unexpected images”. The Special Jury Award went to Pure Unknown, directed by Valentina Cicogna and Mattia Colombo. Next, a Jury Special Mention went to Bloodhound director Yamina Joutat. Director Wang Bing of Man in Black was honored with the Grand Prize in the Frontier category and will receive a prize of 15 million won. Film critic Seong-il Jeong accepted the award on his behalf. Man in Black is a portrait of Wang Shirin, an 86-year-old classical composer who left China and lives in Germany. The judges gave commentary “a work that boldly reimagines the genre of ‘portrait documentary’ while fully recalling the struggle of a man who survived countless attacks on his mind, body, and art” and “cinematic adventure and political bravery exemplify the spirit of the DMZ Docs Frontier division”. Frontier Jury Special Mention goes to Mambar Pierrette directed by Rosine Mbakam. The Korean Competition section was divided into feature films and short films, and each grand prize was awarded. The long film went to K-Family Affairs director Nam Arum. K-Family Affairs is an introspective work based on the family relationship of the director, whose father was a high-ranking public official in the Park Geun-hye government at the time of the Sewol Ferry disaster. The judges stated the reasons for their selection as “K-Family Affairs tries to understand what happens inside a family that stands on seemingly conflicting paths: the father is a bureaucrat, the mother is a feminist activist, and the daughter is a film maker” and “the extraordinary personal experiences of the parents in the work reflect the society itself, which has chosen to quickly forget over time” in their review. The Grand Prize for short film was given to director Yang Ji-hoon's The Shooters. The Shooters is a work that tells another valuable testimony about the Jeju 4·3 Incident, and received reviews such as “within the time constraints imposed by a short film, the director summons memories of huge events in modern Korean history” and “through witty style, humorous editing, and honest and simple techniques, we come face to face with a very dark moment from the past.” A total of 30 million won in prize money will be awarded for the special award. First, Outstanding Aesthetic Achievement, which is given to a work that stands out for its artistic achievement and contribution, was received by director Kim Eungsu of Jean-Luc Godard. Director Choi Jong-ho of Oryu Market received the Social Solidarity, which stands out for his active participation and sharp criticism of society and director Kim Sangpai of Our Sunny Paradise was honored with the Emerging Documentary Filmmaker(Sponsors’ Award), which is given to an excellent work by a new director. On the 19th, the DMZ Docs Documentary Market also held the DMZ Docs Pitch Awards Ceremony and Closing Ceremony at Megabox Baekseok Bella Cita Room 101. The winning works were awarded prize money and in-kind items worth a total of 220 million won. The Global Pitch Grand Prize went to Camels of the Sea and was awarded a prize of 50 million won. A total of two Excellence Awards went to the Korean project Seeds of a Nation and the Asian project Untying the Knot, each receiving a prize of 20 million won. The judges' special award went to a total of four works, including the Korean project Mosque and K-NUMBER, the Asian project Life in the Shadows and Whispers in May, and each received a prize of 10 million won. Lastly, the Audience Award winner was Whispers in May, which won two awards. In the case of rough cut pitch, the grand prize went to Friday At the Window, which received a prize of 40 million won. A total of two works won the Excellence Award, which are the Korean project On the Wings of a Butterfly and the Asian project After the Snow Melts. They each received a prize of 20 million won. The Audience Award went to Prabha, which received a prize of 5 million won. In-kind and investment fund awards followed. The ‘Korea University of Media Arts Award’, which supports post-production (color correction, sound mixing, etc.), was received by Red Diary, and the ‘Sunny Side of the Doc Award’, which supports participation in the 2024 Sunny Side of the Doc, was received by Karma. The ‘Hot Docs Industry Award’, which provides support for participation in the 2024 Hot Docs Industry, went to Seeds of the Nation. Karma and Parachute Kids each received an investment of 25 million won from the Hans Tech Fund Award, which supports the conclusion of an investment contract after the work is selected. The 15th DMZ International Documentary Film Festival held a total of 228 screenings and 145 program events over 8 days. The 15th DMZ Docs ended with the closing ceremony on the 21st. Online theater VoDA allows payment until midnight on the 22nd, and screenings are available for 48 hours after payment.
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2023 Asian Contents & Film Market Announces Platform BUSAN Program
Platform BUSAN, a networking event for emerging Asian independent filmmakers, is set to offer enhanced industry networking and festival experiences, featuring practical topics and professionals from each field in the film industry. Platform BUSAN is a networking event for Asian independent filmmakers. It aims to foster collective growth by facilitating the exchange of experiences and opportunities for future collaborations. 2023 Platform BUSAN will host 115 participants from 24 countries. It will feature a total of 11 programs, including case studies of successful co-productions between countries, talks by Asian filmmakers who have constructed their own cinematic worlds, and sessions providing practical information about recent trends in the overall film industry and film-producing strategies. First, talk sessions will be held, featuring renowned filmmakers who will share their production experiences. Mohsen Makhmalbaf, a director leading Iranian new wave cinema and Ogigami Naoko, known for constructing her own healing cinematic world through Kamome Diner (2006) and Riverside Mukolitta (2021) will share their broad experiences and filmmaking strategies with up-and-coming filmmakers. The panel talk will delve into the current state of Asian film production in each respective country and explore various cases of collaboration. ‘Producers’ Talk: Prominent Indonesian Producers’ will bring together leading producers from Indonesia, a country that has witnessed remarkable growth in the film industry, to discuss the current production landscape and share their filmmaking experiences. Platform BUSAN will also host sessions including ‘Co-production Case Study: Plan75 by VIPO’, ‘Finding the Oasis of Now for International Co-production by mylab’ and ‘Cinematic Crossroads: Navigating European and Asian Film Markets by TTB & EFP’. These sessions will be co-hosted by collaborative organizations such as the Visual Industry Promotion Organization (VIPO), Malaysian Development Lab for Fiction Feature Films (mylab), European Film Promotion (EFP) and Ties That Bind (TTB). Additionally, Platform BUSAN will offer ‘Film Fund Talk’, a session introducing film funds that invest in Asian films, and ‘Sound Design and Post-Production’ program, which provides professional information about sound design. Also, during the ‘Pitch & Meet’ networking session, participants of Platform BUSAN will have the opportunity to introduce their projects to each other, exchange advice, and seek opportunities for future collaborations. 2023 Platform BUSAN will be held from Oct 7 (Sat) to Oct 10 (Tues) at BEXCO amid the 18th Asian Contents & Film Market. Festival and Market Badge holders will have access to all programs for the remaining seats except for few events. All programs will be conducted in English.
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2023 CHANEL X BIFF Asian Film Academy Holds Opening Event
On Sunday 24th September, CHANEL X BIFF Asian Film Academy, an educational program of the Busan International Film Festival (BIFF), began its 20-day journey with its opening event. The program embarks on a journey with the Asian filmmakers of tomorrow. The opening event for the 2023 CHANEL X BIFF Asian Film Academy was held on Sept 24 (Sun) at the Felix by STX Hotel in Busan. The ceremony was attended by the faculty members of 2023 CHANEL X BIFF Asian Film Academy, directing mentor Kim Hee-Jung and cinematography mentor Artur Żurawski, along with personnel from the Busan International Film Festival and Chanel, 24 fellows, and alumni. The 2023 CHANEL X BIFF Asian Film Academy opening, with words of welcome from interim Festival Director, Nam Dong-chul, introduced the faculty and fellows of 2023, and provided a production report on the two short films that will be produced during the program. This year, CHANEL X BIFF Asian Film Academy extended the program from 18 to 20 days and increased the number of fellows from 20 to 24, in addition to appointing a ‘Script Doctor’. Such attempts to further enhance the curriculum drew praise from the fellows throughout the event. Having concluded its opening event, the 2023 CHANEL X BIFF Asian Film Academy will present a blueprint for the future of Asian cinema, as the 24 promising Asian filmmakers from 20 countries convene and share their experiences for 20 days. The Asian Film Academy (AFA), which was established in 2005 to discover the next generation of talented filmmakers and build diverse networks amongst the emerging professionals, was newly launched last year as the CHANEL X BIFF Asian Film Academy. As an active participant in Arts & Culture, Chanel joined as co-host of the program. With an upgraded curriculum and strong support from Chanel, the 2023 CHANEL X BIFF Asian Film Academy garnered a total of 503 participants from 37 countries, achieving a record-high competition rate of 21:1. The 2023 CHANEL X BIFF Asian Film Academy, which strives to discover new talent to lead the Asian film industry, will be held for 20 days from Sept 24 (Sun) to Oct 13 (Fri). Furthermore, the two short films produced by the fellows during the program will be officially screened on Oct 12 (Thurs), at 19:00 at the Busan Cinema Center, as part of the 28th Busan International Film Festival. Fellows who demonstrate outstanding talent throughout the program will be awarded the CHANEL X BAFA Promising Filmmaker Award. ■ The 28th Busan International Film Festival: Oct 4 (Wed) – Oct 13 (Fri) ■ The 18th Asia Contents & Film Market: Oct 7 (Sat) – Oct 10 (Tues)
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The 28th BIFF Announces Jung Woo and HAN Yeri as Jury for the Actor of the Year Award
The 28th Busan International Film Festival (BIFF), which will be held for 10 days from Oct 4 (Wed) to Oct 13 (Fri), has confirmed actors Jung Woo and Han Yeri as jury members for the Actor of the Year Award. The Busan International Film Festival’s Actor of the Year Award is an award established in 2014, dedicated to the discovery of emerging actors who possess the talent and potential to lead the future of Korean cinema. The award will be presented to one male actor and one female actor from Korean independent feature films nominated in the New Currents and Korean Cinema Today – Vision sections. This award is especially meaningful as actors representing Korean cinema will present it in person to up-and-coming talent who will carry forth the future of Korean cinema. Jung Woo, one of the jury members for this year’s Actor of the Year Award, established his name through the film, Wish (2009), and won Best New Actor at the 2010 Grand Bell Awards. He continued to impress audiences with his realistic portrayal in the widely acclaimed drama series, Reply 1994 (2013). Jung Woo built up his filmography to become one of the most beloved actors in Korea, as he gave breathtaking performances in a variety of roles in films such as C’est Si Bon (2014), The Himalayas (2015), New Trial (2016), Best Friend (2020), Hot Blooded (2020), and many more. Actor Han Yeri will also join the jury for this year’s Actor of the Year Award. Han Yeri has showcased a wide range of acting skills, from films like As One (2011), Worst Woman (2016), and The Table (2016) to drama series such as Hello, My Twenties! (2016), Nokdu Flower (2019), and My Unfamiliar Family (2020). She established herself on the global stage by winning the U.S. Grand Jury Prize in the U.S. Dramatic Competition at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival with the critically acclaimed film, Minari (2020). Han furthered her career as a globally lauded actor by winning the 2021 Gold List Best Actress Award. Each winner of the Actor of the Year Award will be granted a cash prize of 5,000,000 KRW, which Jung Woo and Han Yeri will present at the BIFF closing ceremony. In addition, the two actors will also mark the grand finale of the 28th Busan International Film Festival by serving as the closing ceremony hosts. Jung Woo and Han Yeri will greet guests at the closing ceremony alongside interim festival director Nam Dong-chul and interim managing director Kang Seung-ah. As anticipation rises with the announcement of the Actor of the Year Award jury members, the 28th Busan International Film Festival will be held in the vicinity of the Busan Cinema Center for 10 days from Oct 4 (Wed) to Oct 13 (Fri). ■ Actor Jung Woo’s Filmography - Films: Bloody Tie (2006), The City of Violence (2006), Dachimawa Lee (2007), Spare (2007), Fate (2008), Wish (2009), Doomsday Book (2011), Red Family (2013), C’est Si Bon (2014), The Himalayas (2015), New Trial (2016), Heung-boo: The Revolutionist (2017), Best Friend (2020), Hot Blooded (2020), and more - Drama Series: Blossom Sisters (2010), You Are the Best! (2013), Reply 1994 (2013), Mad for Each Other (2021), A Model Family (2022), and more ■ Actor Han Yeri’s Filmography - Films: As One (2011), Dear Dolphin (2012), South Bound (2012), The Spy: Undercover Operation (2012), Commitment (2013), Haemoo (2014), Love and… (2015), A Dramatic Night (2015), The Hunt (2016), Worst Woman (2016), A Quiet Dream (2016), The Table (2016), Champion (2017), Illang: The Wolf Brigade (2018), Minari (2020), and more - Drama Series: Road No. 1 (2010), Yeonu’s Summer (2013), Six Flying Dragons (2015), Hello, My Twenties! (2016), Hello, My Twenties! 2 (2017), Switch: Change the World (2018), Nokdu Flower (2019), My Unfamiliar Family (2020), and more *The 28th Busan International Film Festival: Oct 4 (Wed) – Oct 13 (Fri) *The 18th Asia Contents & Film Market: Oct 7 (Sat) – Oct 10 (Tues)
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Announcing the Special Program in Focus: Korean Diasporic Cinema
The 28th Busan International Film Festival (BIFF), which will be held for 10 days from Oct 4 (Wed) to Oct 13 (Fri), presents the event schedule and the list of guests for the Special Program in Focus: Korean Diasporic Cinema. Special Program in Focus: Korean Diasporic Cinema aims to provide an opportunity to explore the cinematic worlds of Korean-American filmmakers and actors who have gained recognition in Hollywood in recent years, highlighting their significance within the American film industry. The program features a total of 6 films, including Past Lives (2023), the most-talked-about film at this year’s Sundance Film Festival; Jamojaya (2023), the latest film of Justin Chon, who co-directed the series Pachinko (2022); Minari (2020) directed by Lee Isaac Chung, for which Youn Yuh-jung won the 2021 Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress; Burning (2018) directed by Lee Chang-dong, which won the 2018 Cannes Film Festival FIPRESCI Prize; and Columbus (2017) and Searching (2018). In addition, Korean-American directors and actors who have solidified their presence in the American film industry will be visiting Busan and participate in various events. The 28th Busan International Film Festival, garnering much attention with its announcement of the event schedule and the list of guests for the Special Program in Focus, will be held for 10 days from Oct 4 (Wed) to Oct 13 (Fri) in the vicinity of the Busan Cinema Center. ■ The 28th Busan International Film Festival : Oct 4 (Wed) – Oct 13 (Fri) ■ The 18th Asian Contents & Film Market : Oct 7 (Sat) – Oct 10 (Tues)
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The 28th Busan International Film Festival Closing Ceremony Hosts, Actors HONG Kyung and KO Minsi
The 28th Busan International Film Festival (BIFF), which will be held for 10 days in the vicinity of the Busan Cinema Center from Oct 4 (Wed) to Oct 13 (Fri), has selected actors Hong Kyung and Ko Minsi to host the closing ceremony. - Rising Stars HONG Kyung and KO Minsi to Host the Grand Finale of BIFF 2023! Actors Hong Kyung and Ko Minsi have been confirmed as the 28th Busan International Film Festival closing ceremony hosts, marking the grand finale of the 10-day long journey. Hong Kyung rose to stardom with his performance in Innocence (2019), D.P. (2021), Weak Hero Class 1 (2022), Revenant (2023), and more. After leaving a lasting impression on domestic and global audiences with his delicate portrayal of multi-dimensional characters, Hong has recently participated in the animation, Lost in Starlight (2023), as a voice actor, further widening his spectrum as an actor. Hong, who visited Busan last year with Weak Hero Class 1 (2022), will attend Busan for a second consecutive year, this time as the closing ceremony co-host. Ko Minsi caught the attention of critics and the public with her diverse filmography, ranging across a spectrum of genres, from films — The Witch: Part 1. The Subversion (2018), The Battle: Roar to Victory (2019), and Decision to Leave (2022), to TV series — Love Alarm (2019), Sweet Home (2020), Jirisan (2021), and more. Establishing her career with numerous awards, including the Newcomer Actress Award at the 2021 Asia Contents Awards and Excellence Award for Actress in a Miniseries and Best Couple Award at the 2021 KBS Drama Awards, she most recently played the role of Ok-bun, an informant in the smuggling scheme, in Smugglers (2023), affirming her position as an irreplaceable character. The BIFF 2023 closing ceremony, which will showcase actors Hong Kyung and Ko Minsi’s refreshing chemistry, will consist of the red carpet and the New Currents, Jiseok, and Actor of the Year Awards ceremony, along with a screening of this year’s closing film, director Ning Hao’s The Movie Emperor (2023). The 28th Busan International Film Festival, which is garnering expectations after announcing the closing ceremony hosts, will be held for 10 days in the vicinity of the Busan Cinema Center from Oct 4 (Wed) to Oct 13 (Fri). ■ Actor HONG Kyung’s Filmography - Films: Innocence (2019), A Distant Place (2020), and more - Series: D.P. (2021), A Moment of Romance (2021), Weak Hero Class 1 (2022), Revenant (2023), and more ■ Actor KO Minsi’s Filmography - Films: Cheese in the Trap (2017), The Witch: Part 1. The Subversion (2018), The Battle Roar to Victory (2019), Decision to Leave (2022), Smugglers (2023), and more - Series: Live (2018), The Smile Has Left Your Eyes (2018), Jirisan (2021), Youth of May (2021), Love Alarm Season 2 (2021), and more ■ The 28th Busan International Film Festival : Oct 4 (Wed) – Oct 13 (Fri) ■ The 18th Asian Contents & Film Market : Oct 7 (Sat) – Oct 10 (Tues)
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2023 Asia Contents Awards & Global OTT Awards Ceremony and Ticket Reservation Information
As anticipation rises with the announcement of hosts and main guests, the 2023 Asia Contents Awards & Global OTT Awards (ACA & G.OTT Awards) will open its ticket reservations on Sept 20 (Wed) at 14:00 KST. - Ticket Reservations Open on Sept 20 (Wed) 14:00 KST Actor KIM Kangwoo and Momoland’s NANCY to Host! - Guests Include RYU Seung-ryong, YAGIRA Yuya, Karishma TANNA, and Kai KO Chen-tung! The 2023 Asia Contents Awards & Global OTT Awards, held at the Busan Cinema Center on Oct 8 (Sun) at 18:00 KST, is an awards ceremony for outstanding TV, OTT, and online content worldwide. The 2023 Asia Contents Awards & Global OTT Awards, which upgraded in scale by expanding its candidate region from Asia to the global stage, will open ticket reservations at 14:00 KST on Sept 20 (Wed). Reservations will be available online on the Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) ticket reservation site (https://ticket.biff.kr). The 2023 Asia Contents Awards & Global OTT Awards will be hosted by actor Kim Kangwoo and Momoland's Nancy. Kim Kangwoo, an exceptional actor who shows a broad spectrum of acting across films and dramas, will be visiting Busan for the first time in 9 years after being invited to the Busan International Film Festival in 2014 for the film, Cart (2014). Momoland's Nancy, who took the world by storm with numerous hits like “Bboom Bboom” and “BAAM” is expected to host the ceremony with her charming presence. This year, the 2023 Asia Contents Awards & Global OTT Awards not only celebrates and promotes content but also the OTT industry, as it expanded its award categories from 12 categories to 17. In addition, one of the presenters of the awards is Kai Ko Chen-tung, who established himself as a sensational actor with his versatile acting in You Are the Apple of My Eye (2011), and recently expanded his career to directing. Kai Ko Chen-tung will be joined by Bao Shang En, who won the Newcomer Award at the 4th Asia Contents Awards last year, and many others will also attend the ceremony. A red carpet event will take place prior to the awards ceremony from 18:00 KST, where audiences can meet the directors and actors of this year’s nominated works. Director Han Junhee, who stirred up a critical social discourse with D.P. Season 2 and actor Ryu Seung-ryong from Moving, who captured the hearts of global audiences with his exceptional performance, will be present as he is nominated for Best Actor this year. In addition, Yagira Yuya of Gannibal, who became the youngest winner of the Best Actor Award in Cannes Film Festival history at its 57th edition, and Arjo Atayde of Cattleya Killer, an actor garnering much attention in the Philippines, and actress Karishma Tanna from the widely acclaimed Indian crime series Scoop also confirmed their attendance, heralding a spectacular lineup this year. Special performances will also be held for the audience at the 2023 Asia Contents Awards & Global OTT Awards. Alice, the charming K-pop girl group with unstoppable talent, will open the evening with their mesmerizing performance. Sohee, a member of Alice, recently appeared on the TVing Original series, Duty After School (2023), which was well received among global audiences. The 2023 Asia Contents Awards & Global OTT Awards will welcome audiences at the Busan Cinema Center's BIFF Theater, while simultaneously broadcasting online to engage with audiences worldwide both online and offline. The ceremony will also be available on the Busan International Film Festival's official YouTube channel and LG U+(U+ Mobile TV) channel on Oct 8 (Sun) at 18:00 KST. ■ The 28th Busan International Film Festival : Oct 4 (Wed) – Oct 13 (Fri) ■ The 18th Asian Contents & Film Market : Oct 7 (Sat) – Oct 10 (Tues)
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The 28th Busan International Film Festival Announces This Year's Winner of the Choon-yun Award
The 28th Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) has announced the recipient of the Choon-yun Award, an award established in honor of the late chairman of the Korean Association of Film Art & Industry, Lee Choon-yun. - Selected by 4 Top Korean Film Professionals Producer KIM Ji-yeon of Next Sohee (2022) and Punch-Drunk Love (2022)! Marking its second year, the Choon-yun Award was newly established to commemorate the late chairman of the Korean Association of Film Art & Industry, Lee Choon-yun, who made monumental contributions to the development of Korean cinema. While most awards tend to place directors and actors at center stage, the Choon-yun Award is distinguished as an opportunity to discover and highlight the exceptional works of Korean film producers. The Choon-yun Award nominees are Korean film producers who released their films between July of 2022 and June of this year, and were also selected through the recommendation of 3 organizations – the Association of Korean Independent Film & Video, Korean Film Producers Association, and Producers Guild of Korea. A jury composed of Korea’s 4 top film experts reached their final decision after much deliberation to announce the awardee of this year. Members of the jury included director Kang Je-kyu, who directed unforgettable masterpieces like Shiri (1999) and Tae Guk Gi: Brotherhood of War (2004), and Shim Jaemyung, CEO of Myung Films, who produced various films that contributed to the development of Korean cinema such as Joint Security Area (2000), Architecture 101 (2012), I Can Speak (2017), along with actor Yoo Ji-tae, who earned the title of one of Korea’s all-time favorite actors by showing an extensive acting range through performances in films like One Fine Spring Day (2001), Old Boy (2003), and drama series Money Heist: Korea – Joint Economic Area (2022), Vigilante (2023), and lastly programmer Jung Hanseok of the Busan International Film Festival, who has a keen eye for recognizing the potential and value of Korean independent films and emerging filmmakers. This year’s winner of the Choon-yun Award is Kim Ji-yeon, the producer of Next Sohee (2022), which was selected as the closing film at the 75th Cannes Film Festival Critics' Week. Producer Kim Ji-yeon has participated in the production of National Security (2012), A Girl at My Door (2014), and Punch-Drunk Love (2022). Through such works, she established a distinct creative style as a producer. Director Kang Je-kyu praised Kim as “a producer who has a voice of conviction that speaks through her work as seen in her impressive filmography over the years.” CEO Shim Jaemyung added, “She is a filmmaker who has contributed to the production of Korean films by taking experimental and venturous endeavors, which makes us anticipate her next feat.” Actor Yoo Ji-tae extended his congratulations as he commented, “Producer Kim Ji-yeon is the most suitable candidate for the Choon-yun Award, as she is someone who always produces films that feel true to her beliefs.” Finally, programmer Jung Hanseok further applauded, “Kim Ji-yeon is an influential figure in film, as proven by years of experience followed by the exceptional films she’s produced.” The Choon-yun Award Ceremony will take place on Oct 5 (Thurs) at 20:00 in the Sicily Room on the 1st floor of the Paradise Hotel Busan. The Choon-yun Award, which was established and sponsored by IOK Company, is an award for producers of outstanding Korean films, and presents a cash prize of 10,000,000 KRW to the recipient. Last year, producer Baek Jaeho of the film Snowball (2021) was named as the first recipient of the Choon-yun Award. The 28th Busan International Film Festival, which is garnering attention by selecting this year's best producer, will run for 10 days in the vicinity of the Busan Cinema Center from Oct 4 (Wed) to Oct 13 (Fri). ■ The 28th Busan International Film Festival : Oct 4 (Wed) – Oct 13 (Fri) ■ The 18th Asian Contents & Film Market : Oct 7 (Sat) – Oct 10 (Tues)
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Nominees for the 2023 Asia Contents Awards & Global OTT Awards
The nominees for the 2023 Asia Contents Awards & Global OTT Awards (ACA & G.OTT Awards) in 10 competitive categories have been announced. The ACA & G.OTT Awards has expanded its reach from Asia to the world, and it’s now an eagerly anticipated event. The ceremony will be held on Oct 8 (Sun) at the BIFF Theater in the Busan Cinema Center. - From The Glory, Special Ops: Lioness, Little Women, The Long Season, and MOVING up for Best Creative Award to Actors LIM Ji-yeon, SATOH Takeru, SONG Hye-kyo, RYU Seung Ryong, and Zoe SALDANA All Eyes Are on the Nominees in 10 Competitive Categories! The ACA & G.OTT Awards 2023 is an event that celebrates the achievements of excellence on TV, OTT, and online platforms across the world. The Asia Contents Awards, established in 2019, has joined forces with the International OTT Festival, hosted by the Ministry of Science and ICT along with Busan Metropolitan City, to return as the 2023 Asia Contents Awards & Global OTT Awards (ACA & G.OTT). As the expansion of nominees from Asia to worldwide content has garnered attention, the number of submitted contents has increased by more than 50, resulting in 215 submissions from 18 countries in total. Moreover, as the scope has expanded—encompassing not only content and artists but also content platforms like OTT—the awards categories have increased from 12 to 17. The awards categories are composed of 10 competitive awards, including Best Creative Award, Best Lead Actor/Actress, Best Supporting Actor/Actress, and the newly added Best Reality & Variety Award. There are also 7 non-competitive categories, including the Lifetime Achievement Award and Rising Star of the Year. The Best Creative category has chosen popular series that have received enthusiastic feedback worldwide. Among them are Korean productions like The Glory, Little Women, and MOVING, which have gained global recognition for their exceptional quality. In addition, exceptional works like the spy thriller series Special Ops: Lioness, starring Zoe Saldana and Laysla De Oliveira, and the mystery family series The Long Season, which has received ratings of over 9 points on a Chinese review website, have also been selected. Nominated for Best OTT Original and Best Asian TV Series categories are works from various, giving us insight into the current state of series productions worldwide. The Best OTT Original nominees include Get Rich, The Knock Out, SHADOW DETECTIVE, Wave Makers, and Weak Hero Class 1. The Best Asian TV Series nominees include The Black Yard, Delete, Not Others, Scoop, and Taiwan Crime Stories. As a newly added category, Best Reality and Variety, has drawn attention with its diverse range of programs from different genres such as comedy shows, survival challenges, and sports documentaries. The category includes like Bloody Game 2, Food Chronicle, One at Heart, Jessica Soho: Wounds of Woes, LET'S FEAST VIETNAM, OUR GAME: LG TWINS, Physical: 100, and SNL Korea Season 3 & 4, all of which will be competing in this category. The acting categories recognize numerous actors and actresses for their outstanding performances. The nominees for Best Lead Actor include Arjo Atayde of Cattleya Killer, Fan Wei of The Long Season, Nat Kitcharit of Delete, Ryu Seung Ryong of MOVING, Satoh Takeru of First Love, and Yagira Yuya of GANNIBAL. The Best Lead Actress category includes Emily Chan of The Patient, Karishma Tanna of Scoop, Rebecca Lim of Third Rail, Song Hye-kyo of The Glory, and Zoe Saldana of Special Ops: Lioness, all of whom have been nominated. The award for Best Supporting Actor will be given to one of four nominees: Hsueh Shih-Ling of Taiwan Crime Stories, Jo Woo-jin of Narco-Saints, Nichkhun Horvejkul of Finding the Rainbow and Sometani Shota of Sanctuary. Meanwhile, five actresses have been nominated for Best Supporting Actress: Buffy CHEN of Wave Makers, Charlette Wasita Hermenau of Delete, Gyeong Sujin of SHADOW DETECTIVE, Kutsuna Shioli of Sanctuary, and Lim Ji-yeon of The Glory. Audiences have been impressed by the performances of new actors, and they are receiving much attention. The nominees for Best Newcomer Actor include Lee Jung Ha of MOVING, Park JiHoon of Weak Hero Class 1, Prudtichai Ruayfupant M of Nobody's Happy If I'm Not, and Wen JunHui of EXCLUSIVE FAIRY TALE. The nominees for Best Newcomer Actress are Go Youn Jung of MOVING, Li GengXi of The Long Season, Phantira Pipityakorn of Get Rich, and Yagi Rikako of First Love. The members of the jury have commented, “In the process of narrowing down the field from over 200 submissions to around 30 finalists, it was challenging to exclude many outstanding works. This year, the influence of global OTT platforms like Netflix and Disney+ remained significant. We made careful efforts in the judging process to maintain a balance with the remarkable local contents from various Asian countries.” The 2023 Asia Content Awards & Global OTT Awards has revealed an impressive lineup of nominees, causing excitement for the upcoming ceremony on Oct 8th (Sun) at 18:00 KST at the Busan Cinema Center. For further information, please refer to the official BIFF website and social media channels.
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Spackman Media Group Artist Wi Ha-Jun’s Upcoming Disney+ Original Series, THE WORST OF EVIL, Set To Premiere On September 27
Spackman Entertainment Group Limited (the "Group"), one of Korea's leading entertainment production groups founded in 2011 by global media & technology investor Charles Spackman, wishes to announce that Wi Ha-jun of MSteam Entertainment Co., Ltd. ("MSteam"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Group's associated company, Spackman Media Group Limited ("Spackman Media Group"), will star in the upcoming original crime action drama series THE WORST OF EVIL, which is scheduled to premiere exclusively on Disney+ on September 27. Set in the 1990s Gangnam district of Seoul, South Korea, THE WORST OF EVIL follows undercover police investigators who infiltrate the Gangnam Alliance, a massive criminal organization responsible for the illegal drug trade between Korea, China and Japan. Wi Ha-jun takes on the role of the charismatic leader of the Gangnam Alliance. Alongside Wi Ha-jun, Ji Chang-wook portrays a police officer while Lim Se-mi plays his wife. Created by Kakao Entertainment, THE WORST OF EVIL is directed by Han Dong-wook and written by Jang Min-suk. Wi Ha-jun of Spackman Media Group became a worldwide sensation with his role as Hwang Jun-ho, a policeman in the first season of SQUID GAME. He is set to return in the highly anticipated second season of the international breakout hit alongside the original cast comprising Lee Jung-jae, Lee Byung-hun and Gong Yoo. In December last year, Wi Ha-jun won the rising star award in the 2023 Korea First Brand Awards, following his chart-topping Netflix drama, LITTLE WOMEN (2022), which was filmed in Singapore and Korea. According to Flixpatrol.com, the drama took the top spot in Taiwan, Indonesia and Japan and ranked 8th globally on Netflix as of October 8, 2022. The series featured iconic landmarks in Singapore such as Marina Bay Sands and The Fullerton Hotel. In February 2022, he was selected as the South Korea ambassador for Swiss luxury watchmaker, TAG Heuer. He was also appointed as the ambassador for his hometown, Wando-gun of South Korea in January 2022. Wi Ha-jun starred in highly popular K-drama BAD AND CRAZY (2021), which reached first place in viewership ratings for consecutive weekends after its release on 17 December 2021. Wi Ha-jun was also selected as the brand ambassador for the American premium casual brand BEENTRILL and released a beauty pictorial with YSL beauty in December 2021. Notably, he headlined the Korean crime thriller film, MIDNIGHT (2021), which received the Best Feature Award at the 13th UK Grimmfest Film Festival. In addition to Wi Ha-jun, MSteam represents iconic Korean actress Son Ye-jin, who starred in the hit romance drama CRASH LANDING ON YOU (2020), and top actress Lee Min-jung, who won the Top Excellence Award at the 2020 APAN Star Awards.