2024 CHANEL X BAFA Celebrates a Successful Graduation Ceremony
Announcing the 12 Awards for the 2024 Asian Project Market
The 29th Busan International Film Festival Midterm Report
ACA & G.OTT Awards 2024 Winners Revealed
Asia's Top Content Market Takes Another Leap Forward! The 2024 ACFM Kicks Off Tomorrow
The 29th BIFF: Opening Ceremony Streaming Live
2024 ACFM to Unveil Its Unprecedented Lineup
BIFF X CHANEL to Present the Camellia Award as Part of the 29th BIFF to Celebrate Women in Cinema
The 29th BIFF hosts Insightful Forums with Film Experts
2024 ACA & G.OTT Awards Announces the Hosts, Award Presenters, and Special Performances
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The 29th BIFF Announces the Open Talk & Talk-to-Talk Schedule
An Open Talk will take place on the BIFF Outdoor Stage at the Busan Cinema Center, where directors and actors of the official selection to the Busan International Film Festival will freely communicate with the audience for about 50 minutes. Directors and actors who have worked on various films are expected to participate, addressing questions about their works and continuing meaningful interactions with the audience. *Venue: BIFF Outdoor Stage, Busan Cinema Center Talk-to-Talk: Vivid Stories from Directors and Actors Directors and actors from a total of 36 films, including You Are the Apple of My Eye from the 'Korean Cinema Today – Panorama', Ghost Train from the 'Midnight Passion', 12 films from the 'Korean Cinema Today – Vision', 12 films from the 'Wide Angle – Korean Short Film Competition', and 10 films from the 'Wide Angle – Asian Short Film Competition', will engage in an about an hour session with the audience, sharing behind-the-scenes stories of their film productions and in-depth discussions about their works. *Venue: 6F Talk-to-Talk Lounge, Cinemountain, Busan Cinema Center With only a week remaining until the opening, the 29th Busan International Film Festival will be held for ten days from Oct 2 (Wed) to Oct 11 (Fri) around the Busan Cinema Center. ▶ The 29th Busan International Film Festival | Oct 2 (Wed) – Oct 11 (Fri) ▶ The 19th Asian Contents & Film Market | Oct 5 (Sat) – Oct 8 (Tues)
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2024 CHANEL X BIFF ASIAN FILM ACADEMY Starts with 24 Emerging Filmmakers
The 2024 CHANEL X BIFF Asian Film Academy commencement ceremony was held on Sept 22 (Sun) at Felix by STX Hotel, Busan. On Sept 22 (Sun), the commencement ceremony of the 2024 CHANEL X BIFF Asian Film Academy was held at Felix by STX Hotel, Busan. Busan International Film Festival’s Interim Festival Director Pak Dosin was joined by directing mentor Kamila Andini and cinematography mentor Urata Hideho, along with representatives from Busan International Film Festival, 24 fellows, and several alumni of the programme. Over the next 20 days, 24 emerging filmmakers from 13 Asian countries will embark on an intensive journey together as part of the 2024 CHANEL X BIFF Asian Film Academy. Since 2005, the Asian Film Academy has been crucial in discovering and nurturing promising Asian filmmakers. Since 2022, the programme has been relaunched as the CHANEL X BIFF Asian Film Academy with support from CHANEL, further establishing it as the leader in Asian film education. In 2024, 613 applicants from 34 countries applied, achieving a competitive ratio of 25:1, reflecting its continued growth each year. The programme provides aspiring Asian filmmakers opportunities to expand their craft, challenge themselves, and push the boundaries of creativity. The 2024 CHANEL X BIFF Asian Film Academy, at the forefront of nurturing future leaders of Asian cinema, will be held for 20 days from Sept 22 (Sun) to Oct 11 (Fri). The eight short films produced by the fellows will be presented to the public during the festival on Oct 10 (Thurs) at 19:00 KST at Busan Cinema Center. Moreover, fellows demonstrating outstanding talent will be eligible for various scholarships, including the CHANEL X BAFA Promising Filmmaker Award. ▶ The 29th Busan International Film Festival | Oct 2 (Wed) – Oct 11 (Fri) ▶ The 19th Asian Contents & Film Market | Oct 5 (Sat) – Oct 8 (Tues)
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Choi Sooyoung and Gong Myoung Confirm as Hosts of the 29th BIFF Closing Ceremony
The 29th Busan International Film Festival, held Oct 2 (Wed) to Oct 11 (Fri) at Busan Cinema Center, has announced actors Choi Sooyoung and Gong Myoung as the hosts of the Closing Ceremony. Actors Choi Sooyoung and Gong Myoung, beloved for their exceptional performance and down-to-earth personalities, will host the closing ceremony of the 29th Busan International Film Festival. The ceremony, scheduled for Oct 11 (Fri), will take place at the BIFF Theater of the Busan Cinema Center, where the two actors will bring the ten-day film festival to a grand finale. Actor Choi Sooyoung, who debuted as a member of the girl group Girls’ Generation, began her acting career with Unstoppable Marriage (2007). She has demonstrated a wide range of performances across various genres, including the films Miss & Mrs. Cops (2019), New Year Blues (2021), the drama Run On (2021), If You Wish Upon Me (2022), and the play Wife (2023). Through these versatile roles, she has solidified her position as an actor. Recently, she gained significant attention for her leading role as Kim Jinhee in the hit series Not Others (2023). Having showcased her smooth and witty hosting skills at numerous events, such as the Seoul Drama Awards 2018 and the Buil Film Festival 2022, she is set to shine as a host at this closing ceremony. Actor Gong Myoung debuted with the web drama After School: Lucky or Not (2013). He received widespread attention by playing the role of Jaehoon in Extreme Job (2019), which hit a mega success of 10 million viewers, winning Best New Actor at the Chunsa Film Art Awards 2019. He has since delivered impressive performances through Hansan: Rising Dragon (2022), Killing Romance (2023), Citizen of a Kind (2024), and dramas Be Melodramatic (2019) and Lovers of the Red Sky (2021). Most recently, he has further secured his presence with his outstanding performance in A Week Before My Death, which was invited to the On Screen section of this year’s Busan International Film Festival. Gong Myoung will co-host the closing ceremony, marking the finale of the festival. The 29th Busan International Film Festival will begin with the Opening Ceremony on Oct 10 (Wed) and proceed for ten days until Oct 11 (Fri) at Busan Cinema Center. ■ Actor Choi Sooyoung Filmography - Film: Miss & Mrs. Cops (2019), New Year Blues (2021) and more - Drama: Unstoppable Marriage (2007), Run On (2021), Fanletter, Please (2022), If You Wish Upon Me (2022), Not Others (2023) ■ Actor Gong Myoung - Film: Extreme Job (2019), Hansan: Rising Dragon (2022), Killing Romance (2023), Noryang: Deadly Sea (2023), Citizens of a Kind (2024), and more - Drama: After School: Lucky or Not (2013), Be Melodramatic (2019), Lovers of the Red Sky (2021), and more ▶ The 29th Busan International Film Festival | Oct 2 (Wed) – Oct 11 (Fri) ▶ The 19th Asian Contents & Film Market | Oct 5 (Sat) – Oct 8 (Tues)
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The 29th BIFF Reveals This Year’s Recipient of the Choon-yun Award
The 29th Busan International Film Festival has revealed the winner 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. - Choon-yun Award for Discovering Outstanding Film Producers, Awarded to PARK Kwansu, Producer of Ms. Apocalypse and Wonderland The Choon-yun Award, now in its third year, is established to encourage producers who have contributed to excellent Korean film production. Following two years of sponsorship by IOK COMPANY, NEXTWORLD Co., Ltd. sponsored the prize money and the expenses for the Choon-yun Award ceremony this year. The candidates were selected through recommendations from the Korean Independent Film Association, the Korean Film Producers Association, the Producers Guild of Korea, and Women In Film Korea, with the final nomination conducted by a panel of five judges. The members of jury consists of Kang Je-kyu, the representative director of Korean cinema who directed Shiri (1999), Taegukgi (2004), Road to Boston (2023); Shim Jaemyung, the CEO of MYUNG FILMS which produced The Contact (1997), Joint Security Area (2000), Forever the Moment (2007), Architecture 101 (2012), Chun Tae-il (2021) and more; actor Yoo Ji-tae, actively performing in various genres including films One Fine Spring Day (2001), Old Boy (2003), Midnight F.M. (2001), Svaha: The Sixth Finger (2018), and the drama Vigilante (2023); Kwon Youngrak, the Lee Choon-yun Memorial Project Committee member who produced Two Cops (1993), The Young Man (1994), and Marrying the Mafia (2002) and served as the vice chairperson of organizing committee at Bucheon International Fantastic Festival and the advisory committee member of Busan International Film Festival; Programmer Jung Hanseok of Busan International Film Festival, who plays a crucial role in discovering emerging directors in Korean independent cinema. This year’s award winner, Park Kwansu, has built his career as a producer with many films and series, including Wonderland (2024), Ms. Apocalypse (2024), An Old Lady (2020), Kokdu: A Story of Guardian Angels (2019), Persona (2019), Marianne and Margaret (2017), Sa-kwa (2008) and more. Director Kang Je-kyu commented, “I highly appreciate his various attempts and challenges.” CEO Shim Jaemyung praised Park as “a figure who has played a meaningful role in production based on his extensive career.” Actor Yoo Ji-tae pointed out that Park is “a producer with excellent talent, capable of handling commercial films, independent films and even short films.” CEO Kwon Youngrak congratulated Park, calling him “a filmmaker dedicated to his role as a producer.” Programmer Jung Hanseok added, “he has consistently produced outstanding works.” Choon-yun Award ceremony will take place on Oct 3 (Thurs), 20:00 KST, at Paradise Hotel Busan. The 29th Busan International Film Festival will be held over ten days from Oct 2 (Wed) to Oct 11 (Fri) at Busan Cinema Center. ▶ The 29th Busan International Film Festival | Oct 2 (Wed) – Oct 11 (Fri) ▶ The 19th Asian Contents & Film Market | Oct 5 (Sat) – Oct 8 (Tues)
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European Films and Talent Take Center Stage at BIFF 2024
This year’s line-up of the Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) includes more than 60 European films to be presented to an enthusiastic Korean audience, while 28 world sales companies will be joining the EUROPE! Umbrella at the Asian Contents & Film Market (ACFM). EFP is an international network of film institutions from 37 European countries, promoting the diversity and spirit of European films and talent. The 29th BIFF presents 63 European films that have garnered attention globally, with filmmakers from all parts of Europe scheduled to visit be present at Busan. Furthermore, EUROPE! Umbrella will bring 28 world sales companies to the 2024 Asian Contents & Film Market. - BIFF on Europe: Miguel GOMES and Increased Number of Female Filmmakers Highlighted The BIFF will present the entire body of feature films by renowned Portuguese director Miguel Gomes through a dedicated Special Program in Focus. In addition, this year’s selection of European cinema shows a noticeable rise in female filmmakers’ features, including Harvest and The Substance. Several female directors will be visiting Busan from Europe to meet the festival’s audience, including Patricia Mazuy of Visiting Hours, Marie-Magdalena Kochová of The Other One, Margherita Vicario of Gloria!, and Dea Kulumbegashvili of April. The BIFF’s programmer Seo Seunghee remarks, “It is our greatest pleasure to present so many brilliant European films at Busan International Film Festival this year. The Special Program in Focus ‘Miguel GOMES: a filmmaker of Joyful Melancholy’ will most definitely be an invaluable opportunity to meet and converse with one of Europe’s finest cineastes, Miguel Gomes. This year, the European artistic delegation, including more than 30 filmmakers and producers will visit Busan to converse with BIFF audiences. Notably there is a significant rise in the number of female directors attending compared to previous years, adding an important highlight to this year’s festival.” - European Directors Highlighted in the Flash Forward Section The Flash Forward section showcases innovative and original first or second features of non-Asian directors. Out of the 11 directors whose works are showcased in this section, nine are from Europe, including Rungano Nyoni of On Becoming a Guinea Fowl, Jonathan Millet of Ghost Trail, Tallulah H. Schwab of Mr. K, and Jethro Massey of Paul and Paulette Take a Bath. Directors Laurynas Bareiša of Drowning Dry, Louise Courvoisier of Holy Cow, Milad Tangshir of Anywhere Anytime, Antonella Sudasassi Furniss of Memories of a Burning Body, and others will be visiting Busan in person this year. - Special Networking Event with European Talents The EUROPE! Cocktail, hosted in collaboration with BIFF and Cinecittà, will bring European talents—including directors, actors, and producers together with South Korean and Asian industry. Attendees include Miguel Gomes, Leos Carax (It’s Not Me), Magnus von Horn (The Girl with the Needle), Göran Hugo Olsson (Israel Palestine on Swedish TV 1958-1989), and Mo Harawe (The Village Next to Paradise), to name a few. “We are thrilled to witness such a strong representation of European films across eight sections of the BIFF’s programmes. This festival plays an essential role in extending the reach of European cinema beyond its borders. The enthusiastic reception from the festival’s audience highlights its importance as a key platform for European films in the region. Both the festival and the Asian Contents & Film Market serve as crucial hubs for promoting European films globally,” says Jo Mühlberger, Deputy Managing Director of EFP. The 29th Busan International Film Festival will take place from Oct 2 to 11, and the Asian Contents & Film Market, from Oct 5 to 8 in Busan, South Korea. ▶ The 29th Busan International Film Festival | Oct 2 (Wed) – Oct 11 (Fri) ▶ The 19th Asian Contents & Film Market | Oct 5 (Sat) – Oct 8 (Tues)
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The 29th BIFF Ticket Reservation Schedule
The 29th Busan International Film Festival, opening Oct 2 (Wed), has revealed the ticket reservation schedule! BIFF 2024 Screening Schedule Release: Sept 12 (Thurs) 17:00 KST Opening/ Closing Ceremony, Asia Contents Awards & Global OTT Awards: Sept 20 (Fri), 14:00 KST General Screening Tickets: Sept 24 (Tues), 14:00 KST The 29th Busan International Film Festival, building excitement by unveiling its opening and closing films along with other key selections during the opening press conference last Tuesday, has now announced its ticket reservation schedule. Firstly, tickets for the opening and closing ceremonies will open on Friday, September 20 (14:00 KST). In its sixth year, the Asia Content Awards & Global OTT Awards, which has expanded its scope beyond Asia to include outstanding TV, OTT, and online content worldwide, will also open ticket reservations simultaneously. Except for the opening and closing films, ticket reservations for the general screenings of the 29th Busan International Film Festival will begin on Sept 24 (Tues), 14:00 KST. RM: Right People, Wrong Place, which has been selected for the Open Cinema, will have its tickets open earlier at 10:00 KST on the same day. Reservations can be made online through the Busan International Film Festival ticket reservation site (https://ticket.biff.kr). Tickets for films not sold out online or those with cancellations will also be available for purchase on-site. In addition, tickets for the closing film Spirit World, six films in the On Screen section, seven films in the Open Cinema section, and the Asia Content Awards & Global OTT Awards can also be purchased through the BNK Mobile Banking app. The 29th Busan International Film Festival opens grandly with actors Park Boyoung and Ahn Jaehong as opening ceremony hosts. Moreover, actors Sul Kyung-gu, Park Boyoung, Hwang Jung-min, and Chun Woo-hee will interact with the audiences through the Actors’ House. Miguel Gomes, who won Best Director at the Cannes Film Festival 2024, and actor Zhou Dongyu, among other prominent Korean and Asian guests who have garnered international acclaim, are expected to appear. The festival features a diverse lineup, showcasing everything from new works by acclaimed filmmakers to unique projects by emerging directors shaping the Asian film scene. p!tt GROUND, known for offering a wide variety of merchandise celebrating the Busan International Film Festival, will once again feature an extensive selection of merch. This year will also promise to provide the audience with exciting attractions and events. With the reservation schedule now announced and preparations for the opening in full swing, the 29th Busan International Film Festival will take place from Oct 2 (Wed) to Oct 11 (Fri) over ten days at the Busan Cinema Center.
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The 29th BIFF Announces KIM Sunyoung & RYU Junyeol as Jury Members for the Actor of the Year Award
The 29th Busan International Film Festival, held for ten days from Oct 2 (Wed) to Oct 11 (Fri), announced Kim Sunyoung and Ryu Junyeol as the jury members for the Actor of the Year Award. - KIM Sunyoung & RYU Junyeol, Who Excel in Both Films and Dramas, Embark on a Mission to Discover Hidden Gems in Korean Cinema. ‘Actor of the Year Award,’ established in 2014, discovers new rising actors with the potential to lead the future of Korean cinema. The award is presented to one male and one female rising actor who deliver the most outstanding and memorable performances in Korean independent feature films, selected for the New Currents and Korean Cinema Today – Vision sections. This award is meaningful in that it is judged and presented by veteran actors who are pillars of the Korean film industry. Actor Kim Sunyoung, who has been selected as a jury member for the Actor of the Year Award at the 29th Busan International Film Festival, has garnered widespread acclaim from both the public and critics for her strong presence and exceptional performance in series such as Reply 1988 (2015), When the Camelia Blooms (2019), Crash Landing On You (2019). She has also made a significant impact in films like Three Sisters (2021), Dream Palace (2023), Concrete Utopia (2023), and more. Kim Sunyoung won Best Actress at the Asian Film Festival 2023 and Best Acting at the Women in Film Korea 2023 for Dream Palace (2023), Best Supporting Actress at the DaeJong Film Festival 2023, and the Best Actress Award at the Director's Cut Awards 2024 for her role in Concrete Utopia (2023) securing her strong presence in the industry. Ryu Junyeol debuted with the film Socialphobia (2015) and gained recognition with the drama series Reply 1988 (2015) for his acting skills and popularity. Since then, he has had a wide acting range and a strong presence in works like The King (2017), A Taxi Driver (2017), Believer (2018), Alienoid Parts 1 (2022) and 2 (2024), and The 8 Show (2024). In particular, Ryu Junyeol has established himself as an irreplaceable actor, receiving several prestigious awards for his performance in the film The Night Owl (2023), including Best Actor at Baeksang Arts Awards 2023, Korean Association of Film Critics Awards 2023, Golden Cinematography Awards 2023, and Chunsa Film Festival 2023. The Actor of the Year Award comes with a cash prize of 5 million KRW. Actors Kim Sunyoung and Ryu Junyeol will present the award at the closing ceremony of the 29th Busan International Film Festival. ■ Actor KIM Sunyoung Filmography - Film: About Love (2004), She’s On Duty (2005), Ice Bar (2006), Dangerous Meeting (2011), Another Family (2014), Monster (2014), Ode to My Father (2014), The Long Way Home (2015), Missing (2016), ONE-LINE (2017), Communication & Lies (2017), Happy Bus Day (2017), Herstory (2018), Miss Baek (2018), MAL•MO•E: The Secret Mission (2019), Trade Your Love (2019), Juror 8 (2019), The Day I Died: Unclosed Case (2020), Winter’s Night (2020), Three Sisters (2021), Portrait of A Family (2021), Broker (2022), Life is Beautiful (2022), Return to Seoul (2023), Dream Palace (2023), Concrete Utopia (2023), 30 Days (2023), Exhuma (2024), Hijacking 1971 (2024) and more - Drama: Hotel King (2014), Reply 1988 (2015), Ms. Temper & Nam Jung-Gi (2016), Father I’ll Take Care of You (2016), Dear My Room (2018), Just Dance (2018), Romance is a Bonus Book (2019), Her Private Life (2019), At Eighteen (2019), When the Camellia Blooms (2019), Drama Special: Socialization – Understanding of Dance (2019), Crash Landing on You (2019), Kkondae Intern (2020), Backstreet Rookie (2020), Homemade Love Story (2020), Stock Struck (2022), Crash Course in Romance (2023), Queenmaker (2023), My Lovely Liar (2023), Queen of Divorce (2024), A Virtuous Business (2024) and more ■ Actor RYU Junyeol Filmography - Film: Socialphobia (2015), SORI: Voice from the Heart (2016), No Tomorrow (2016), One Way Trip (2016), Canola (2016), The Boys Who Cried Wolf (2016), The King (2017), A Taxi Driver (2017), Heart Blackned (2017), Little Forest (2018), Believer (2018), Believer: Extended Cut (2018), Hit-and-Run Squad (2019), Money (2019), The Battle: Roar to Victory (2019), Alienoid Part 1 (2022), The Night Owl (2022), A Side of a Relationship (2023), Alienoid Part 2 (2024) and more - Drama: Reply 1988 (2015), Lucky Romance (2016), LOST (2021), The 8 Show (2024) and more ▶ The 29th Busan International Film Festival | Oct 2 (Wed) – Oct 11 (Fri) ▶ The 19th Asian Contents & Film Market | Oct 5 (Sat) – Oct 8 (Tues)
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The 29th BIFF Announces Lineup for Actors' House
The 29th Busan International Film Festival has unveiled this year’s lineup for Actors’ House, a flagship BIFF event program. Marking its 4th year, Actors' House is a special event that offers an in-depth look into the works of actors who represent the contemporary film industry, sharing their candid stories. This year's event draws attention with prominent figures' participation, including Sul Kyung-gu, Park Boyoung, Hwang Jung-min, and Chun Woo-hee. First, actor Sul Kyung-gu, known for his limitless transformations through various roles, will be featured at the Actors’ House. Continuously expanding his spectrum by navigating different themes, genres, and characters, Sul Kyung-gu has consistently garnered praise from audiences for his solid acting skills. Most recently, he crafted a new iconic character in the 2024 Netflix series The Whirlwind (2024). At the Actors’ House, Sul Kyung-gu is set to showcase his true essence as an actor. Actor Park Boyoung will also meet with the audience in Busan. After skyrocketing to fame as a rising star in Chungmuro with the success of the film Scandal Makers (2008), she has showcased her diverse charm across both film and TV in works such as Strong Girl Bong-soon (2017) and On Your Wedding Day (2018). Recently, Park Boyoung delivered impressive performances in Concrete Utopia (2023) and Daily Dose of Sunshine (2023), further proving her wide acting range. She is set to share her rich acting experiences with the audience in Busan, offering them a particular time. One of the highest-grossing actors Hwang Jung-min, who has conquered genres from noir to romance, will also attend this year’s Actors’ House. Known for surpassing 10 million admissions with films such as Ode to My Father (2014), Veteran (2015), and 12.12: The Day (2023), Hwang Jung-min consistently leaves a lasting impression with each role. Through this program, he will share candid stories about his acting career and personal experiences. Actor Chun Woo-hee, who made a strong impression and gained attention through Sunny (2011), will also meet with the audience. She has won the hearts of many with her intense yet delicate performances in both films and dramas, such as The Wailing (2016), Be Melodramatic (2019), and The 8 Show (2024). Chun Woo-hee is expected to share meaningful stories during this year's Actors' House with the audience. The Actors’ House program is open to the public with an entrance fee of 10,000 KRW. All profits from the event will be donated to the international relief organization Save the Children. Tickets can be purchased on the BIFF website from Sept 24 (Tues), 14:00 KST.
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The 16th DMZ Docs Holds Official Press Conference
The 16th DMZ International Documentary Film Festival (Festival Director, JANG Hae Rang), which will be opening on the 26th of this month, held an official press conference. The press conference was held at GCV Myeongdong Cine Library in September 4th (Wed) 4:30 p.m., and CHANG Hae Rang (festival director), JANG Byungwon (program director), and KANG Jinseok (Programmer) participated in the press conference to introduce this year’s film festival characteristics, main screening films, and programs. In the press conference, the festival director, CHANG Hae Rang, commented that “We thought about the roles of documentary film festival in the globally worsening war, climate crisis, hatred, and inequality. To answer this question, we decided “Act Out for Friendship and Solidarity” as the slogan of this year’s film festival.” He also described the characteristics of this year’s film festival with five keywords and expressed the vision by saying that “in the 16th DMZ Docs, we will unite with domestic and international documentary filmmakers, and broaden the point of contact with audiences, and connect film producers and citizens together.” Opening Film : <Farming The Revolution> Protest of Indian Farmers During Pandemics Closing Film : <Filmlovers!> Love Toward Films and Theaters <Farming The Revolution> (Director Nishtha JAIN, Akash BAUMATARI) is selected as the opening film of the 16th DMZ Docs. Amidst COVID-19, thousands of Indian farmers gathered to protest against the Farm Laws that represented interests of only the ruling class. The program director, JANG Byungwon, said that “this documentary is full of scenes that show wisdom and courage of grassroots. The documentary will impresses more people under the film slogan of Act Out for Friendship and Solidarity.” <Filmlovers!> is a film about an autobiographical story of Arnaud Desplechin about cinephilia, and this film mixes documentary and fiction together. It provokes love toward films and nostalgia of theater watching, and it makes the audiences think again about the presence of cinema. Screening 140 Films (80 Feature Films, 60 Short Films) from 43 Countries Extended Screening Throughout Gyeonggi-do… Featuring “DMZ Docs Plus+” Non-Theatrical Program Exhibition at LAKINS MALL This year, DMZ Docs will be screening a total of 140 films (80 feature films, 60 short films) from 43 countries. It maintains the program reorganization tone from the last year while quickly reflecting the latest documentary trends at the same time. It is also encouraging to see that the opening film and a considerable number of films funded by DMZ Docs Industry are selected as the screening films. The 16th DMZ Docs moved the main theaters to MEGABOX KINTEX and Lotte Cinema Juyeop. The festival road named “DMZ Docs City Walk” is arranged at the path connecting from Subway Line 3 Juyeop Station to theater to hold a variety of events where citizens and audiences can participate together. There also will be “DMZ Docs Plus+” to expand the screening venue from Goyang Special City to Gyeonggi-do areas. There will be screening at Suwon Special City’s Suwon Media Center, Paju-si Heyri Cinema, Ansan-si Gyeonggi Museum of Modern Art, and Yongin City Nam June Paik Art Center. The Non-Theatrical Program was newly opened last year and celebrates the 2nd anniversary this year. The program will be held at the main film festival space, LAKINS MALL. In this program, 9 scenery films demonstrating the world from the perspectives of scenery, geography, and landscape under the topic of “The Landscape as the State of World” will be screened in the form of non-theatrical installation. DMZ Docs Focus Heinz EMIGHOLZ -Filmography as Autobiography, Modern Korea Cinema , Chronicle of Solidarity Like the previous film festival, there will be three forms of special Program Section, Focus, including Heinz EMIGHOLZ -Filmography as Autobiography, Modern Korea Cinema , Chronicle of Solidarity. The Heinz EMIGHOLZ -Filmography as Autobiography is about a German architecture documentary director, Heinz EMIGHOLZ. It screens “Filmography as Autobiography” consisting of his 14 films and features a drawing exhibition, “Oblique Vision,” with installations of hundreds of drawing works. The “Oblique Vision” will be held at Goyang Artist Residency Haeum, and there also will be a drawing master class with Heinz EMIGHOLZ. The Modern Korea Cinema, is arranged to commemorate KBS archive project, Modern Korea, and the theater version will be first released in the film festival. The Chronicle of Solidarity, spotlights the video activism of Korea, and it also focuses on the omnibus project made in solidarity of documentary Korean documentarists. The documentary streaming platform, docuVoDA, will be holding an online exhibition, ‘Short is Beautiful’. It will be screening 30 short films included in the Korean Competition Section, Non-Competition Section, and Heinz EMIGHOLZ Artist Exhibition. There also will be a special artist exhibition on a globally famous experimental documentary artist, Tomonari NISHIKAWA. New Establishment of DMZ Docs Forum This year, DMZ Docs will be newly presenting “DMZ Docs Forum” that covers various issues, such as beauty of documentary, support policies, social roles, and living right of producers. It sets five forum topics as an action plan for this year’s slogan, Act Out for Friendship and Solidarity, and arranges a debate with experts in documentary production and various fields. The DMZ Docs Forum will be held during the film festival period, and it will play a role as the open debate forum where all creators and audiences can share their opinions candidly. 2024 DMZ Docs Industry 2024 DMZ Docs Industry discovers and supports outstanding documentaries of Korea and Asia, and it will be held from September 28 to October 2nd. The DMZ Docs Fund (Korean POV 2024, THE VODA FUND) supports projects in planning, development, and early production stages, and DMZ Docs Pitch supports projects in product and editing stages. The winners will be granted benefits of showcase, open pitching, and business meeting during the film festival period. Documentary Market also will be held during the film festival to encourage active interaction of global documentary industry and creators. To discover intangible asset documentaries, UNESCO ICHCAP and ICHCAP Award are newly established to select one winner and support 10 million won. Program for Educating and Supporting Future Documentary Creators There also will be continuing education and support programs for future documentary creators. Youth Documentary Production Workshop celebrates its 14th anniversary this year, and it provides media literacy education, discovers outstanding contents, and fosters future creators. The worship will be screening a total of 12 films during the film festival period. Asian Docs Co-Production Network Project celebrates the 5th anniversary. In this project, young documentary creators from Korea, China, Japan, Taiwan, and Singapore co-produce documentaries about Asia. A total of four films will be screened during the 16th film festival period. The opening ceremony of the 16th DMZ Docs will be held at Imjingak Pyeonghwa Nuri Outdoor Theater in September 26, and DMZ Docs will be running DMZ Film Festival Special Train from Seoul Station to Imjingang Station for the convenience of audiences attending the opening ceremony. For details, please refer to the official website (www.dmzdocs.com) of the film festival.
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Actors PARK Boyoung and AHN Jaehong to host the 29th BIFF Opening Ceremony
Park Boyoung and Ahn Jaehong will be hosting the opening ceremony for the 29th Busan International Film Festival, which will take place from Oct 2 (Wed) to Oct 11 (Fri). Actors Park Boyoung and Ahn Jaehong, who are known for portraying unique and lovable characters across various genres and also have a broad fan base, have been confirmed as the hosts for the opening ceremony of the 29th Busan International Film Festival, which will be held on Oct 2 (Wed), 19:00 KST, at the Busan Cinema Center BIFF Theater. Actor Park Boyoung made her debut in the drama series Secret Campus (2006), and rose to prominence as a leading rookie in the Korean cinema after the successful Scandal Makers (2008). She has showcased a wide range of talent and gained recognition for her excellent performance, appearing in both films and TV series such as A Werewolf Boy (2012), Oh My Ghost (2015), Strong Woman Do Bong-soon (2017), and On Your Wedding Day (2018). More recently, her outstanding performance on Concrete Utopia (2023) and Daily Dose of Sunshine (2023) earned her the Female Star of the Year at Buil Film Awards 2023 and Best Actress at Blue Dragon Series Awards, thus proving her wide acting spectrum. Park Boyoung also attended Busan International Film Festival 2015 and met with the audience for her films Collective Invention (2015) which was invited to the Open Cinema section and The Silenced (2015) which was invited to the Korean Cinema Today – Panorama section. Actor Ahn Jaehong left a strong impression to the public with his distinctive performance in The King of Jokgu (2014). He gained great popularity for his versatility, such as TV series Reply 1988 (2015-2016), Fight for My Way (2017), Be Melodramatic (2019) and many more. He once again delivered a shocking performance to the public in Mask Girl (2023), earning him Best Supporting Actor in the TV category at the Baeksang Arts Awards 2024 and the Best Actor of the Year in the series category at the Director’s Cut Awards 2024. Ahn Jaehong first visited Busan International Film Festival as early as 2013, for Sunshine Boys (2013). Last year, he revisited Busan for the On Screen section invitation LTNS (2024). This year, he will continue his journey with Busan International Film Festival as a host. The 29th Busan International Film Festival will open on Oct 2 (Wed) with the opening ceremony, and will continue for ten days until Oct 11 (Fri) at the Busan Cinema Center. ■ Actor PARK Boyoung Filmography - Films: Our School’s E. T. (2008), The ESP Couple 2008), Scandal Makers (2008), If You Were Me 4 (2009), Don’t Click (2012), A Werewolf Boy (2012), Hot Young Bloods (2014), The Silenced (2015), Collective Invention (2015), You Call It Passion (2015), On Your Wedding Day (2018), Concrete Utopia (2023) and more. - Drama: Secret Campus (2006), Witch Yoo Hee (2007), Mackerel Run (2007), The King and I (2007-2008), Jungle Fish 1 (2008), Oh My Ghost (2015), Strong Woman Do Bong-soon (2017), Abyss (2019), Doom at Your Service (2021), Daily Dose of Sunshine (2023) and more. ■ Actor AHN Jaehong Filmography - Film: The King of Jokgu (2014), The King’s Case Note (2017), Microhabitat (2018), Secret Zoo (2020), Rebound (2023) and more. - Drama: Reply 1988 (2015-2016), Fight for My Way (2017), Be Melodramatic (2017), Mask Girl (2023), LTNS (2024), Chicken Nugget (2024) and more. ▶ The 29th Busan International Film Festival | Oct 2 (Wed) – Oct 11 (Fri) ▶ The 19th Asian Contents & Film Market | Oct 5 (Sat) – Oct 8 (Tues)
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Jury Members Announced for Jiseok & BIFF Mecenat & Sonje Awards for the 29th BIFF
The 29th Busan International Film Festival (BIFF), held for 10 days held for ten days from Oct 2 (Wed) to Oct 11 (Fri), has confirmed the juries for Jiseok, BIFF Mecenat, and Sonje Awards. - Kim Jiseok Award, the competition of new features from leading Asian directors, will be juried by: Christian JEUNE, Prasanna VITHANAGE, and SHIN Suwon Kim Jiseok Award was created to remember and honor the late BIFF Program Director Kim Jiseok, who devoted his whole life to discovering and supporting the growth of Asian cinema. The competition category features new works by veteran Asian directors selected for the Jiseok section. Two best films are selected and each awarded a prize of USD 10,000. The jury for the Kim Jiseok Award at the 29th Busan International Film Festival has been appointed as follows: Christian Jeune, Director of Film Department at the Cannes Film Festival, who has contributed greatly to discovering and promoting Asian films to the world for the past 30 years; Prasanna Vithanage, an influential South Asian director and film educator, and the winner of Kim Jiseok Award at BIFF 2023 for his film Paradise (2023); and Shin Suwon, who won the Canal+ Award at Critics’ Week of the Cannes Film Festival 2012 for her short film Circular Line (2012), and has been invited to major international film festivals for all of her works including Pluto (2013), Madonna (2015), Glass Garden (2017), and Hommage (2022). - The documentary competition section BIFF Mecenat Award will be juried by: Mohsen MAKHMALBAF, FUJIOKA Asako, and Jéro YUN The BIFF Mecenat Award is granted to two best documentary features, one from Korea and one from larger Asia, in Wide Angle competition section. The winner will receive KRW 10,000,000. This year, the juries include: Iranian director Mohsen Makhmalbaf, who is one of the world’s most influential filmmakers and founders of the Iranian New Wave Cinema; Fujioka Asako, the Vice Chairman of Yamagata International Documentary Film Festival who has produced multiple documentaries including Nude at Heart (2021), and a supporter of documentary filmmaking practices and global conversations around Japanese films; and director Jéro Yun, who has consistently put out works following his invitation to the Cannes Film Festival for Mrs. B., A North Korean Woman (2016) and short film Hitchhiker (2016), and visited Busan in 2020 for his documentary Song Hae 1927 (2021) about the late entertainer Song Hae. - The Asian short film competition section Sonje Award will be juried by: Yamanaka YOKO, Constance TSANG, and LIM Daehyung The Sonje Award is given to two best Korean and Asian short films in the Wide Angle section, and each winner is awarded KRW 10,000,000. The jury for the Sonje Award has been appointed as follows: Director Lim Daehyung of Moonlit Winter (2019), which was selected as the closing film of the BIFF 2019; Director Constance Tsang, who won the French Touch Prize of the Jury at Cannes Critics' Week with her debut feature Blue Sun Palace (2024); and Director Yamanaka Yoko, who won the FIPRESCI Award in Directors’ Fortnight section at the Cannes Film Festival for Desert of Namibia (2024). The 29th Busan International Film Festival is building up anticipations with the announcement of the jury line-up for main competitions, and will be held for ten days from Oct 2 (Wed) to Oct 11 (Fri) at the Busan Cinema Center.
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Announcing the Nominees and Jury of the Asia Contents Awards & Global OTT Awards 2024
The Asia Contents Awards & Global OTT Awards 2024, which will be held on Oct 6th at the BIFF Theater of the Busan Cinema Center, revealed the nominees for a total of 11 competitive categories, and its jury members who will decide the final winners. The Asia Contents Awards & Global OTT Awards (ACA & G.OTT Awards) 2024 marks its 6th anniversary this year, following its initial launch in 2019 to promote the growth of the Asian content industry. In 2023, the ACA & G.OTT Awards expanded its scope beyond Asia to recognize the excellence of global content across all media platforms, including TV, OTT, and online. This year, the awards received a total of 201 submissions from 16 countries. After a thorough evaluation by 12 preliminary judges from around the world, 41 works from 10 countries have been selected as the final nominees in 11 competitive categories. The final winners will be determined by seven international jurors, heightening anticipation for the award results. - Series from China, Indonesia, Japan, Thailand, Taiwan and Korea Leading the Nominations Blossoms Shanghai, widely recognized as the first television series by legendary film director Wong Kar Wai, has been nominated in three categories: Best Creative, Best Lead Actor (Male), and Best Supporting Actor (Female). Indonesia’s first ever Netflix Original Series, Cigarette Girl, has also been nominated for the Best Creative category, as well as Best Director, Best Lead Actor (Female), and Best Supporting Actor (Male), resulting in a total of four nominations. The Japanese series, VIVANT, known for its star-studded cast, is another strong contender for the Best Creative category, in addition to Sakai Masato being nominated for the Best Lead Actor (Male). A popular Thai series ENIGMA, which topped Thai Prime Video last year, is also a nominee for the Best Creative category, along with nominations in the Best Director category, and Best Newcomer (Male) category for Metawin Opas-iamkajorn. From Korea, A Killer Paradox, has been nominated for Best Creative, with Choi Woo-shik, Lee Hee-jun, Kim Yo-han recognized for their outstanding performances in their respective categories. Another Korean series, Daily Dose of Sunshine, is also up for Best Creative, with actor Park Bo-young nominated as the Best Lead Actor (Female). Another Korean work deserving of the spotlight is Uncle Samsik, which is nominated in the Best OTT Original category and the Best Newcomer (Female) category, with Tiffany Young as the nominee. Lovely Runner’s Kim Hyeyoon is another strong contender for the Best Lead Actor (Female) category, while her co-star Byeon Woo-seok is nominated as Best Newcomer (Male). Lovely Runner is also running for the Best Original Song, a newly introduced category, with the track “Sudden Shower” sung by Eclipse, the band featured in the series. Imperfect Us, a Taiwanese TV series, leads with the most nominations, with entries in five categories: Best Asian Contents, Best Writer, Best Original Song, and Ariel Lin for Best Lead Actor (Female) and Kai Ko for Best Supporting Actor (Male). - Stars of Asian Series Gather in Busan to Celebrate and Congratulate The individual nominations list, featuring a selection of creative talents who have impressed the global audience with their unique and diverse performances, adds to the growing anticipation for the final winners. Nominees for the Best Lead Actor (Male) category include Hu Ge (Blossoms Shanghai), Yim Si-wan (Boyhood), Hsu Kuang-han (GG Precinct: Season 1), Choi Woo-shik (A Killer Paradox), Wu Kang Ren (Living), Cho Jin-woong (No Way Out: The Roulette), and Sakai Masato (VIVANT). For Best Lead Actor (Female), the nominees are Dian Sastrowardoyo (Cigarette Girl), Park Bo-young (Daily Dose of Sunshine), Nikaido Fumi (Eye Love You), Ariel Lin (Imperfect Us), Zhou Xun (Imperfect Victim), and Kim Hyeyoon (Lovely Runner). All nominees in the acting categories are also eligible for the People’s Choice Award, a newly introduced award that lets the audience handpick their favorites. Global voting will begin on Sept 9 (Mon) at 15:00 KST via Kinolights mobile app and website. - Expanding Content Diversity This year’s Best Reality & Variety nominees are as diverse as in previous years, featuring works such as 2 Faces, The Community: Tensions Under The Roof, Earth Arcade's Vroom Vroom, Globe-Trotter Travel Guidebook, Jinny's Kitchen 2, and Wedding.con. The newly introduced Best Original Song category features memorable tracks that have resonated with the audience. Competing for the award are 'Sakal Ban' from Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar by Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Raja Hasan, 'Learn to Live Again' from Imperfect Us by Tanya Chua, 'Sudden Shower' from Lovely Runner by Eclipse, and 'Let’s Try' from ONLY FRIENDS by Thanawat Ratanakitpaisan. - Announcing the Seven Jury Members The seven judges of Asia Contents Awards & Global OTT Awards 2024 will determine the best content creators of last year by evaluating 11 competitive categories. Nishijima Hidetoshi, an award winning Japanese actor best known for his appearance in Drive My Car (2021) and the recent Apple TV+ series Sunny (2024), and Alice Ko, a Golden Bell Awards winner for her TV series Someday or One Day (2019), visit Busan as jury members of the ACA & G.OTT Awards 2024. They are joined by Baek Mi-kyoung, the writer of Strong Girl series, The Lady in Dignity (2017) and Mine (2021); An Eunmi, the CEO of Pollux Studio, which produced Coinlocker Girl (2015), The Merciless (2017), and Chief Detective 1958 (2024); Matsuba Naohiko, executive producer at TV Man Union; Max Michael, Head of Asian Business Development at United Talent Agency, and Ellen Y.D. Kim, director of Asian Contents & Film Market. Asia Contents Awards & Global OTT Awards 2024 will be hosted Oct 6 (Sun) 18:00 KST, at the BIFF Theater of the Busan Cinema Center. In addition to the nominees and juries, a diverse array of creative talents from the industry will attend, further elevating the event's status as a global hub for OTT content. For more details, visit the official website (https://www.globalottawards.org/) or the official social media channels.
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The 29th BIFF Unveils ‘New Currents’ and ‘Jiseok’ Selections
The 29th Busan International Film Festival, held Oct 2 (Wed) to Oct 11 (Fri), has revealed its selections for the Asian film competition section, ‘New Currents’ and ‘Jiseok.’ - 10 Films with 10 Visions, The Future of Asian Cinema New Currents is the representative competition section of the Busan International Film Festival, focusing on the first or the second feature of emerging Asian filmmakers. This year, 10 films, including two Korean films, have been selected to be showcased. The two Korean films are The Land of Morning Calm and Waterdrop. The Land of Morning Calm is directed by Park Ri-woong, whose first feature, The Girl on a Bulldozer (2022), received great acclaim. It dynamically unravels the story of a young fisherman’s disappearance and an old captain mysteriously involved in this case. Waterdrop is the debut feature of director Choi Jongyong. It portrays the survival journey of a thirteen-year-old child left alone in the world, capturing a range of emotions and an intense, suspenseful narrative. As the River Goes By by Charles Hu, a post-production fund recipient from Asian Cinema Fund 2024, depicts the story of a young man tracing the memory of his father, who disappeared 12 years ago. Able, directed by Elzak Eskendir, is a selection from APM 2020, offering a stark portrayal of political upheavals and hardships faced by Abel, a collective farm worker. Montages of a Modern Motherhood, directed by Oliver Siu Kuen Chan from Hong Kong, portrays the struggles of a new mother, revealing the emotional waves she endures. The Height of the Coconut Trees is the first Japanese film of Chinese director Du Jie, who has also served as the cinematographer for major commercial films like Moon Man (2022). Kaneko’s Commissary is a Japanese film depicting the life transformation of a character with a violent record, and For Rana is an Iranian film about the struggles of parents with a daughter needing a heart transplant, both of which captivate the audience with their emotional narratives. Two Southeast Asian films dealing with the theme of trauma are also worth noting. MA – Cry of Silence by director The Maw Naing is a story of a Burmese factory worker, and Tale of the Land by director Loeloe Hendra Komara is a story of the indigenous in Borneo, Indonesia. Among these films, two will be nominated for the New Currents Award. - Jiseok Presents: 8 Films by Veteran Asian directors Jiseok is dedicated to honoring the spirit and legacy of the late Kim Jiseok, a senior programmer who devoted himself to developing Asian cinema. This year, the Jiseok features eight films, with two from Korea. I Am Love is the new feature film of Baek Seungbin, who directed Members of the Funeral (2009) and I Have a Date With Spring (2017). It portrays the story of pure yet dangerous, unrequited love. So it goes is the third feature of Lee Haram who debuted with Beyond (2022), it provocatively portrays a bizarre murder spree between a man and a woman through genres and visuals. Two films from Japan have also been selected. Both are women-centric films: Aimitagai, directed by Kusano Shogo and starring Haru Kuroki from Sleepeeer Hit! (2016) and Okiku and the World (2023), and Traveling Alone, the third feature of Ishibashi Yuho who produced When Morning Comes, I Feel Empty (2022). Motherland by the acclaimed Filipino director Brillante Mendoza explores the tragic Mamasa-pano incident, resulted in mass casualties in southern Philippines. Kyrgyzstani director Dastan Zhapar Ryskeldi presents an intense genre piece on drug trafficking and human trafficking at the Kyrgyzstan-Kazakhstan border through his film Deal at the Border. Village Rockstars 2, by Rima Das, known for Village Rockstars (2017) and Bulbul Can Sing (2018) continues the story of the teenage girl Dhunu, who steps up as a guitarist in a band and also matures as the head of her family. It captures a blend of realism and lyrical cinematography. Taiwan’s directory, Lin Tom Shu-Yu, revisits Busan with his new feature, Yen and Ai-Lee. Actors Yang Kuei-Mei and Hsia Kimi realistically enact the strained and enduring relationship between a mother and daughter who reunite after eight years of imprisonment. With these prestigious New Currents and Jiseok sections, the 29th Busan International Film Festival will take place from Oct 2 (Wed) to Oct 11 (Fri) in Busan Cinema Center.
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The 29th BIFF Announces Selections for ‘Korean Cinema Today_ Special Premiere’ & ‘On Screen’
The 29th Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) has unveiled selections for five films in the ‘Korean Cinema Today - Special Premiere’ and six drama series in the ‘On Screen’ section. - Meet Korean films through Special Premiere and Discover Original Series from Korea and Abroad! ‘Korean Cinema Today - Special Premiere’ is a section that selects and premieres the latest and most prominent contemporary Korean commercial films, known for their mass appeal and significance. This year, the section has unveiled five films, including four world premieres, which are set to captivate the audience’s attention. The film A Girl with Closed Eyes (2024) is a thriller that delves into the complex and tense relationship between a criminal and a detective, who are reunited after the murder case of a bestselling author. The film features performances by Kim Minha, who gained global recognition from Pachinko (2022), and Moon Choi from Anarchist from Colony (2017). Director Hur Jin-ho's latest work, A Normal Family (2023), is a well-crafted suspense thriller that depicts the unraveling lives of four individuals, each steadfast in their own beliefs, after they witness a crime scene involving their children captured on CCTV. With stellar performances by Sul Kyung-gu, Jang Dong-gun, Kim Hee-ae, and Claudia Kim, the film delivers intense, gripping tension throughout. Set in Bogotá, Colombia, the film Bogota: City of the Lost (2024) follows the story of Korean immigrants whose lives, filled with despair, lead them to resort to smuggling in this city of last chances. The movie stars Song Joong-ki in the lead role, alongside a cast of distinctive actors including Lee Hee-jun, Kwon Hae-hyo, Park Ji-hwan, Cho Hyun-chul, and Kim Jong-soo, heightening anticipation for its release. DIRTY MONEY (2024) marks the directorial debut of director Kim Minsu, who wrote the screenplay for The Merciless (2017). This crime drama follows two corrupt detectives involved in crime for a bigger score, with Jung Woo, Kim Dae-myung, and Park Byeong-eun in the lead roles. The film Hear Me: Our Summer (2024) is a remake of the Taiwanese film Hear Me (2009) that also draws attention. The original Hear Me (2009) was well-received in Korea, set to be revisited with a warm and beautiful story, featuring actors Hong Kyung and Roh Yoon-seo, who are building a solid filmography with their outstanding performances, along with rising star Kim Min-ju. ‘On Screen’ section aims to encompass cinema's expanded trends and values by showcasing the most anticipated drama series in advance. This year, it offers a rich lineup featuring four Korean productions and two international productions, all set to premiere globally for the first time. Beyond Goodbye (2024) is a melodrama starring Arimura Kasumi from We Made a Beautiful Bouquet (2021) and Sakaguchi Kentaro from The Last 10 Years (2022). Despite its familiar setting—a man who receives the heart of a deceased boyfriend and the woman who finds herself drawn to him— this series captivates viewers with rich details that add depth to this Japanese drama. Born for the Spotlight (2024) is the third drama series directed by renowned Taiwanese actor, writer, and director Yen Yi-wen, after the success of previous two-parts drama series The Making of an Ordinary Woman (2019). The film vividly portrays the lives of female characters working in various roles within the show business industry as they fiercely pursue their dreams and passions amidst a blend of ambition and desire. While showcasing their affectionate solidarity, the film is filled with comedic and sexual tension that permeates the screen. Dongjae, the Good or the Bastard (2024) is a spin-off series of the top-rated and nationally acclaimed drama Stranger (2017). Starring Lee Jun-hyuk and Park Sung-woong, the story revolves around the exasperating yet endearing prosecutor Dongjae as new situations and cases unfold with intense urgency. Gangnam B–Side (2023) is a thrilling crime drama set against the backdrop of the the other side of Gangnam, delving into a high-stakes chase. The gripping storyline, centered around a missing person case, keeps viewers on the edge of their seats. The film stars Jo Woojin, Ji Changwook, Ha Younkyoung, and Kim Hyungseo, who bring added depth and charm to their characters. Hellbound Season 2 (2024) is the highly anticipated follow-up to the drama series Hellbound Season 1 (2021), which gained widespread attention for its various controversial themes, depicting a dystopian world. Director Yeon Sang-ho and writer Choi Gyu-seok team up once again to bring an even more vivid and intense vision of ‘Hellbound’ to the screen. Way Back Love (2024) is a teenage coming-of-age fantasy romance that follows a protagonist who, after losing all hope, unexpectedly reunites with her ex-boyfriend, now a grim reaper, opening a new chapter in her life. Actors Gong Myoung and Kim Minha deliver lively and delightful performances, offering a unique and enjoyable experience. The 29th Busan International Film Festival, which has unveiled the selections of 'Korean Cinema Today – Special Premiere' and 'On Screen,' showcasing contemporary Korean and international films and drama series, will be held for 10 days from Oct 2 (Wed) to Oct 11 (Fri) in the vicinity of the Busan Cinema Center.
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The 29th BIFF announces Special Program in Focus, ‘In Memory of Lee Sun-kyun’
Busan International Film Festival will present the Special Program in Focus, ‘In Memory of Lee Sun-kyun’. Six of the eponymous actor’s most well-loved works will be on screen, and Special Talk events will be scheduled alongside them. Through the program, the festival aims to reflect on and commemorate the achievements of the late actor, whose diversified and profound performances have represented the Korean film scene. In addition, the late actor Lee Sun-kyun has been selected to receive this year’s Korea Cinema Award. The Korean Cinema Award is given to filmmakers who have contributed to promoting Korean cinema globally. This year, the award will be presented to the late actor Lee Sun-kyun at the Opening Ceremony for his diverse filmography, which is beloved by the international film community. First up in the program is a collection of three early films that brought Lee to the public attention as an actor to watch out for. Director Park Chan-ok's Paju (2009), which earned him the Best Actor Award at the Las Palmas International Film Festival 2010, sees the actor offer a delicate portrayal of a conflicted character, an ex-political activist with a sense of calling who falls in love with his sister-in-law. Also included in the program are: Our Sunhi (2013), directed by Hong Sangsoo, which won the Best Director award at Locarno International Film Festival 2013 with an energetic stand-out performance from Lee; and A Hard Day (2014), which screened in the Director's Fortnight at the Cannes Film Festival 2014 and had Lee execute intense action sequences and suspenseful acting in the role of a corrupt detective. An episode of My Mister (2018), a widely beloved TV series in which Lee touched the hearts of many through his understated and humane performance, has also been selected for the big screen experience through the special program. My Mister (2018), produced by Studio Dragon, was an instant success when it first aired in 2018 and remains a personal favorite for many. Of the 16 episodes, the fifth episode was chosen to best showcase both Lee’s presence as an actor and the essence of the character of Park Dong-hoon cinematically. Parasite (2019), the Bong Joon-ho feature that marked the pinnacle of Lee Sun-kyun’s acting career when it became the first Korean film to win the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival 2019 and garnered four awards at the Academy Awards 2024, and Lee’s posthumous film Land of Happiness (2024) where he plays a righteous soldier who gets embroidered in a presidential assassination, will also be screened. Busan International Film Festival 2024 will be held for ten days from Oct 2 (Wed) to Oct 11 (Fri) at the Busan Cinema Center.
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2024 Asian Contents & Film Market Launches Producer Hub Participant Recruitment Now Open
In response to the rapidly evolving market landscape, the Asian Contents & Film Market (ACFM) 2024 has launched an exciting new networking project, Producer Hub, aimed at fostering international co-productions and financing. Participant recruitment officially began on Aug 19 (Mon). - South Korea Confirmed as Inaugural Focus Country for 2024 As Asia's premier content market, ACFM will debut the Producer Hub during the 29th Busan International Film Festival, running for three days from Oct 5 (Sat) to Oct 7 (Mon). The focus of this new initiative is to strengthen networking opportunities among producers. With the content market increasingly shifting its gravity from a completed film rights trading model to one centered around producers and creators and IP acquisition, the demand for international co-productions and financing has significantly increased. Through Producer Hub, ACFM is set to create a vital platform for multinational producers to exchange insights on changes in the film production landscape, discuss market trends across different regions, and share valuable information on investment, production, filming, and support programs. Each year, Producer Hub will select a Focus Country, which will be the center of attention in terms of co-production projects, producers, and the industry's current state. For its inaugural year, South Korea has been chosen as the Focus Country, signifying its importance. The program will highlight the KO-PICK Showcase, an initiative led by the Korean Film Council (KOFIC) that supports the international expansion of Korean film IPs and talent. The initiative aims to reinforce international co-production networks and establish ACFM as a key platform for the growth and collaboration within the Asian film industry. Producer Hub’s detailed program lineup will include Producer Talk, which features case studies on international co-productions, seminars hosted by program partners to provide practical information such as co-production locations and funding opportunities, as well as luncheons and networking events to facilitate exchanges among participants. - Open Recruitment for Producers – Institutional Recommendations and General Applications Welcome Producer Hub will operate through a dual recruitment system, combining institutional recommendations from various countries with open applications for individual producers. Institutional partnerships, aimed at encouraging participation from producers actively engaged in international co-productions, are currently being developed with key organizations such as KOFIC (Korea), Hong Kong’s Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA), Taiwan Creative Content Agency (TAICCA), Japan’s Visual Industry Promotion Organization (VIPO), the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP), and Italy’s CineCitta. Producers who have credits for works on films or series released within the past three years are eligible to apply. Priority will be given to those recommended by partner institutions, with remaining slots open to individual producers who have registered for the ACFM badge. The recruitment period runs from Aug 19 (Mon) to Sept 10 (Tues), and participation is limited to the first 150 applicants on a first-come, first-served basis. Full details are available on the ACFM website. The Producer Hub, a platform for collaboration and exchange among global producers for international co-productions, will be held at the Busan Exhibition and Convention Center (BEXCO) Exhibition Hall 2 for three days from Oct 5 (Sat) to Oct 7 (Mon). ▶ The 29th Busan International Film Festival | Oct 2 (Wed) – Oct 11 (Fri) ▶ The 19th Asian Contents & Film Market | Oct 5 (Sat) – Oct 8 (Tues)
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2024 Busan Story Market Unveils International IP Selections
2024 Busan Story Market at the Asian Contents & Film Market (ACFM) has announced the unveiling of 18 international IP selections, following the announcement of the Korean IP selections. Featuring a diverse array of genres and spanning across Asia and Europe, this year's international lineup underscores the Busan Story Market's emergence as a key global IP trading hub. Creative, Unique, and Diverse: Global IPs spanning across Asia and Europe Busan Story Market (BSM) is a sales marketplace where stories, the bedrock of all content, are to be transformed into various audiovisual, storytelling formats such as films and series. Since 2018, BSM has expanded beyond Korea to introduce IP from across Asia. This year, with the inclusion of original French IP, the Busan Story Market presents 18 international IP selections, marking its solid entry into the global IP market. Taiwanese IP: Diverse Genres and Fresh Characters Take the Stage A total of 10 Taiwanese IPs — five books, three web novels, and two webtoons— were submitted through the Taiwan Creative Content Agency (TAICCA) and were selected by Korean judges. The addition of webtoons to this year's lineup reflects the growing diversity of content. These selections stand out for exploring the essence of human nature and addressing universally relatable themes while demonstrating strong commercial appeal. Particularly, the blend of drama and romance with elements of fantasy, thriller, and science fiction creates a multi-genre experience where original characters come to life through these unique storylines. Japanese IP: Unique Concepts and Proven Commercial Success Six Japanese IPs, including five books and one comic from six companies, have been selected via the Visual Industry Promotion Organization (VIPO). The Japanese IP selections also include stories set in unique and diverse genres—such as the fusion of a sci-fi universe with vampires, a murder mystery involving a psychiatrist, and the intersection of time travel with stage magic—which is expected to draw interest from professionals in the film and video industry. French IP: Charm of Comedy and Historical Romance The French IPs selected by the Cultural Service of the Embassy of France in the Republic of Korea this year include two works: one book and one web novel. While previous years focused on introducing French film IPs for remakes, this year marks the first time French original IPs are showcased at the Busan Story Market. The French IPs, spanning comedy and historical romance genres, offer a range of captivating stories. Asian Contents & Film Festival 2024 will be held in Busan BEXCO Exhibition Hall 2 from Oct 5 (Sat) to Oct 8 (Tues).
