Announcing the Special Program in Focus: Korean Diasporic Cinema
The 28th Busan International Film Festival Closing Ceremony Hosts, Actors HONG Kyung and KO Minsi
2023 Asia Contents Awards & Global OTT Awards Ceremony and Ticket Reservation Information
The 28th Busan International Film Festival Announces This Year's Winner of the Choon-yun Award
Nominees for the 2023 Asia Contents Awards & Global OTT Awards
Spackman Media Group Artist Wi Ha-Jun’s Upcoming Disney+ Original Series, THE WORST OF EVIL, Set To Premiere On September 27
The 28th BIFF Announces Selections for the Korean Cinema Today - Vision Section
2023 Busan Story Market Announces Asian IP Selections
The 28th Busan International Film Festival Announces Selections for New Currents and Jiseok
28th BIFF : Actors LEE Je-hoon and PARK Eun-bin to Host Official Opening Ceremony
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Announcing the Selections for ‘Korean Cinema Today – Special Premiere’ & ‘On Screen’
The 28th Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) has unveiled selections for ‘Korean Cinema Today – Special Premiere’ and ‘On Screen’. The 28th Busan International Film Festival has announced 3 selections for ‘Korean Cinema Today – Special Premiere’ and 6 selections for ‘On Screen’. ‘Korean Cinema Today – Special Premiere’ is a section that selects and premieres mainstream Korean commercial films. Introduced last year to much acclaim from both the press and audiences, ‘Korean Cinema Today – Special Premiere’ continues to garner attention for its selection of 3 highly anticipated Korean films. Believer 2 (2023), the sequel to Believer (2018), which captivated over 5 million viewers, is set to premiere at BIFF 2023. Directed by Baik, renowned for his masterful direction showcased in The Beauty Inside (2015), Believer 2 (2023) promises dynamic action sequences and a star-studded cast, including Cho Jin-woong, Cha Seung-won, Han Hyo-joo, and Oh Seung-hoon. Ballerina (2023), directed by Lee Chung-hyun who is acclaimed for Call (2020), will be screened as a world premiere. This film depicts a tale of revenge, centered around a protagonist with a past as a guard, driven by the pursuit of retribution for his late friend who had been unjustly accused. The portrayal of a formidable female warrior by the exceptionally charismatic actress Jun Jongseo will enthrall viewers with catharsis. Hopeless (2023), officially selected for Un Certain Regard in 2023 Cannes Film Festival, will be screened as an asian premiere at this year’s BIFF. Marking the feature debut of director Kim Chang-hoon, Hopeless (2023) introduces a fresh paradigm of Korean film noir, generating heightened anticipation by enlisting the talents of Hong Xa-bin, a burgeoning rookie, alongside seasoned actor, Song Joong-ki. ‘On Screen,’ having gained remarkable prominence as the foremost official OTT section among Asian film festivals since its establishment in 2021, presents drama series that encompass the changing trends and values of cinema. Successfully asserting its stature, ‘On Screen’ showcases 5 Korean films and 1 Indonesian film as world premieres. The Deal (2023), a Waave original series, unveils a riveting tale of criminal intrigue, in which two young men happen to kidnap their friend and demand ten billion won as ransom. The cast featuring the debut of Yoo Seung-ho in the realm of OTT content, along with Kim Dong-hwi, Yoo Su-bin, and Lee Jooyoung, garners considerable attention. I AM A RUNNING MATE (2023), the portrayal of an ordinary student trying to become student president marks the directorial debut of Han Jin-won, winner of the Best Original Screenplay at the 2020 Academy Awards as a co-writer for Parasite (2019). Seamlessly merging the nuances of the coming-of-age genre with elements of a political drama, the film features the youthful talents of Yoon Hyun-soo, Lee Jung-sic, Choi Woo-sung, Hong Hwa-yeon, and Lee Bong-jun. Vigilante (2023), depicting a scholarly student from the police academy who dispenses justice to crafty adversaries eluding legal boundaries, signifies the arrival of a novel Korean interpretation of the anti-hero genre. Nam Joo-hyuk, Yoo Ji-tae, Lee Jun-hyuk and Kim Sojin translate the essence of the iconic personas from the immensely popular webtoon of the same name on to the screen. The source-material webtoon has garnered an astounding 370 million global views. Cigarette Girl (2023), which has caught significant attention due to the couple Kamila Andini—a leading female director in Asia—and Ifa Isfansyah, depicts a captivating narrative of mystery revolving around a legendary cigarette, set in 1960’s Indonesia. A female protagonist, tenaciously pursuing her aspirations despite obligations to her family and society during a turbulent era, creates a profound drama with strong supporting characters. This year’s BIFF will present the world premiere of the first two episodes, among the series of five episodes. A Bloody Lucky Day (2023) directed by Pil Gam-sung unveils a narrative that commences with a happy-go-lucky taxi driver crossing paths with a young murderer as a long-distance passenger. Based on a highly acclaimed webtoon with the same title, A Bloody Lucky Day (2023) creates a palpable sense of tension. The story unfolds during a late-night taxi ride, intricately woven with the relentless compulsions and derangement of a serial killer. Lee Sung-min, Yoo Yeon-seok, Lee Jung-eun enhance the culmination of the movie with their skillful performances. LTNS (2023) is a whimsical comedy that delves into the intricacies of human nature, unveiling the journey of a young couple’s transformation from indifference to becoming an unlikely “cheaters blackmailing duo,” anticipating a life-altering opportunity. Lim Daehyung, who directed Moonlit Winter (2019) and Jeon Gowoon, director of Microhabitat (2017) jointly contributed as co-writers and co-producers. E Som and Ahn Jae-hong, renowned for their captivating chemistry in Microhabitat (2017), are expected to rekindle their on-screen dynamic. The 28th Busan International Film Festival, which has unveiled the selections of ‘Korean Cinema Today – Special Premiere’ and ‘On Screen’ will be held for 10 days from Oct 4 (Wed) to Oct 13 (Fri) in the vicinity of the Busan Cinema Center.
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15th DMZ International Documentary Film Festival Holds Official Press Conference
With upcoming opening ceremony on September 14, the 15th DMZ International Documentary Film Festival (hereinafter DMZ Docs, Chairman Kim Dong Yeon, Festival Director Chang Hae Rang) held a press conference and announced the opening films, characteristics and directions of this year’s film festival, and programs. The press conference was held at CGV Myeongdong Station Cine Library, Jung-gu, Seoul, on August 22 (Tue) 4 p.m., and it was attended by Festival Director Chang Hae Rang, The head of Programming Jang Byung Won, Programmer Kang Jin Suk, Programmer Chae Hee Suk, and Producer Kim Sun Ah to introduce this year’s changes and main programs. In the press conference, Festival Director Chang said, “Thank you for attending this press conference on a rainy day. We prepared this year's DMZ Docs with sincerity as opposed to seeking ostentation.” said festival director Haerang Jang. And he added nine keywords to his explanation of the 15th DMZ Docs' direction and stated, "we hope that the sincerity beneath the surface of our presentation can reach you. All of our festival's selections are not merely films, but rather the very actuality of this world.“ - Opening Film : The Eternal Memory Showing Deep Love of Long-Time Couple and Chilean Journalist’s Struggles with Alzheimer’s Disease The opening film for the 15th DMZ Docs is The Eternal Memory about a journalist who recorded the fever of Chilean democracy movement, his struggles with Alzheimer’s disease, and deep love of long-time couple. The Eternal Memory highlights the couple’s contribution to Chilean journalism and democracy and asks the present meaning of legacy of the times. The head of Programming Jang Byung Won explained the reason for choosing The Eternal Memory as the opening film and said, "Since winning the Grand Prize at the Sundance Film Festival, The Eternal Memory has received high praise from audiences. The film weaves the situation of its protagonist, Augusto Gongora, a prominent journalist in Chile, with the historical events of Chilean history to tell us about history, memory, and democracy. Paulina Urrutia will be visiting the 15th DMZ Docs and meeting the audiences at the opening ceremony, guest visit, and stage greeting throughout the film festival. - DMZ Docs Screens 147 Documentaries of 54 Countries - Expanded Non-Theatrical Screening & Exhibition at Camp Greaves This year’s DMZ Docs screens a total of 147 documentaries (83 features, 64 shorts) of 54 countries. In the new program sections, competition session includes International Competition, Frontier Competition, and Korean Competition, and non-competition session includes Verite, Docufiction, Essay, Expanded, and Special Exhibition. Especially, 7 documentaries screened in the Expanded Session will be also available in “Non-Theatrical Program” from September 14 to 20 at Camp Greaves located at Civilian Control Zone. This experimental program breaks way from the traditional theater screening and features moving images, artist videos, animations, and experimental films to provide new film experiences to the audiences. - Ukrainian Theme Exhibition · Lee Kang Hyun Exhibition · Newstapa Archiving Exhibition - 3 Exhibitions with New Special Exhibition Structures There also have been changes in the structure of special exhibitions. The three categories include theme exhibition that covers timely issues, memorial exhibition that recollects traces of notable figures, and archiving theme that summarizes history of creation trends and specific groups. The theme exhibition, “Unable to Settle or Leave: The Urgency of the War That Consistently Arrive” hears the voice of documentarists who record the Ukrainian War from different places and locations. The memorial exhibition highlights the world of Director Lee Kang Hyun who passed away last March. The exhibition screens The Description of Bankruptcy, The Color of Pain, and Possible Faces directed by Lee and The Fool Doesn’t Catch a Cold starring Kim. It will also publish a booklet with messages from peers and partners from different fields. The archiving exhibition, “Newstapa: The Witnesses with Camera” summarizes the history of Newstapa, which has been continuing notable activities in the independent journalism and documentary fields over the last 10 years. In addition, the documentary streaming platform, VoDA, will organize online special exhibition, Robert Flaherty Reloaded. The exhibition will be screening 11 representative works of Robert Flaherty, who pioneered documentaries. - DMZ Docs Documentary Market Holds Prior Workshop from September 10 to 13 and Main Event from September 15 to 19 DMZ Docs Documentary Market discovers, supports, and fosters outstanding Korean and Asian documentary projects. After holding a prior workshop from September 10 to 13, there will be a main event from September 15 to 19. It will be featuring DMZ Docs Fund (Korea POV 2023, The VoDA Fund) for projects in planning and early production stages and DMZ Docs Pitch Program for projects in production and editing stages. It also provides an opportunity for creators and global documentary industry people to meet and interact with each other throughout the film festival period. - Academy Program for Documentary Education on Youth and College Students After newly opening the Academy Program in 2022, DMZ Docs expanded the program for college film clubs this year. The program provides the film festival badge and educational program for the participating students to enhance their understanding on documentaries and offer opportunity to watch diverse works. It also features Youth Documentary Production Workshop for fostering future documentary makers, Special Experience Education Program - Talks&Docs, and Online Education Program “Docs School” focusing on educational values of documentaries. The Docs School participants will be watching documentaries and discussing them based on the worksheets for each theme. Docs on Stage combines film screening and concert, and it will be held for two days at Goyang Flower Exhibition Center and CGV Goyang Baekseok lobby. The official screening films and Youth Online Education Program Docs School’s screening films are also available at online theater, VoDA. The opening ceremony of the 15th DMZ Docs will be held at Pyeonghwa Nuri Stage in September 14 (Thurs). For the convenience of participants, there will be “DMZ Peace Train” that runs from Seoul Station to Imjingang Station. For detailed information of film festival, visit the official website, www.dmzdocs.com
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Announcing Jury Members for the KIM Jiseok, BIFF Mecenat, and Sonje Awards
The 28th Busan International Film Festival (BIFF), which will be held for 10 days from Oct 4 (Wed) to Oct 13 (Fri), has confirmed the jury members for the KIM Jiseok, BIFF Mecenat, and Sonje Awards. Competition Among Veteran Asian Directors, KIM Jiseok Award Jury Festival Director Martine THEROUANNE, Director NISHIKAWA Miwa, and Director LEE Kwangkuk The KIM Jiseok Award was established in 2017 to commemorate the spirit of the late BIFF program director, Kim Jiseok, who devoted his life to the discovery and growth of Asian cinema. The KIM Jiseok Award grants a prize of USD 10,000 to the two best films selected from the Jiseok section, which introduces new projects by Korean and Asian filmmakers who have worked on 3 or more feature films. The 28th Busan International Film Festival has appointed Martine Therouanne, festival director of the Vesoul International Film Festival of Asian Cinema, who has been actively introducing Asian films to audiences in France; Nishikawa Miwa, director of Sway (2006) and Under the Open Sky (2020); and director Lee Kwangkuk, director of Romance Joe (2011) and A Tiger in Winter (2017), as this year’s KIM Jiseok Award jury members. Documentary Competition, BIFF Mecenat Jury Director HARA Kazuo, Film Critic Anke LEWEKE, and Director Kyungsoon The BIFF Mecenat Award is presented to the best feature-length documentaries from Korea and Asia in the Wide Angle section. A cash prize of KRW 10,000,000 will be granted to one selection each from Korea and Asia. This year’s BIFF Mecenat Award jury is composed of director Hara Kazuo, a highly respected documentarist from Japan, well-known for his films The Emperor's Naked Army Marches On (1987) and Sennan Asbestos Disaster (2017); Anke Leweke, former programmer of the Berlin International Film Festival; and Kyungsoon, director of Mindullae (1999) and Shocking Family (2006). Korean and Asian Short Film Competition, Sonje Award Jury Director JANG Kunjae, Director WEI Shujun, and Producer Bianca BALBUENA The Sonje Award is given to the best Korean and Asian short films in the Wide Angle section. The 2 selected films will receive a prize of KRW 10,000,000 each. Director Jang Kunjae of A Midsummer's Fantasia (2014), director Wei Shujun, who has been invited to the Cannes Film Festival for 4 consecutive projects, and producer Bianca Balbuena, who boasts extensive experience with international co-productions, have been appointed as the BIFF 2023 Sonje Award jury members. The 28th Busan International Film Festival, which has announced the 9 jury members for this year’s Kim Jiseok, BIFF Mecenat, and Sonje Awards, will be held for 10 days from Oct 4 (Wed) to Oct 13 (Fri) around the Busan Cinema Center.
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BIFF 2023 Special Program in Focus: 'Renaissance of Indonesian Cinema'
The 28th Busan International Film Festival (BIFF), to be held for 10 days from Oct 4 (Wed) to Oct 13 (Fri), presents ‘Renaissance of Indonesian Cinema’, as a Special Program in Focus. - Embracing Global Admiration: - Mouly SURYA and Kamila ANDINI, Renowned Female Directors - Joko ANWAR, the Grand Master of Horror - Lineup of 12 Indonesian Films with Remarkable Impact! Indonesia has recently gained momentum in producing numerous captivating films. Since the 21st century, Indonesian cinema, particularly in the realm of independent films, has experienced a remarkable resurgence. These films have found their way to prestigious film festivals, earning acclaim through notable awards. Today, the domestic market in Indonesia—with its fourth-largest population—is undergoing expansion due to the rise in screen numbers, especially in multiplexes, with local productions having captured the majority of the market share. Furthermore, as one of the countries with its film industry that made the fastest recovery from the pandemic, Indonesia is bolstering its cultural policies to nurture the film industry's growth and foster emerging Indonesian filmmakers. Focusing on Indonesia’s fast-growing film industry, the Special Program in Focus will introduce 7 features and 5 short films, including series which will be presented on Netflix. Mouly Surya and Kamila Andini, two of the most prominent female directors in Asia; Joko Anwar, hailed as a preeminent master of the horror genre; along with Edwin and Yosep Anggi Noen, who have received acclaim at world-renowned film festivals, are once again returning to Busan in October. The spotlight will also be cast upon budding filmmakers who have recently started to capture attention. - Selections Full of Characters with Compelling Personalities - Celebrated Indonesian Filmmakers and Actors Visit BIFF 2023! ‘Renaissance of Indonesian Cinema’ showcases films that draw attention with their intricately distinctive characters. 24 Hours with Gaspar (2023) by Yosep Anggi Noen, a film depicting rough characters living on the edgy streets, will have its world premiere. This film, envisioning the emergence of a novel genre infused with science fiction elements into a life of deceitfulness, was chosen as a selection for the 2022 Asian Project Market. Cigarette Girl (2023), which has garnered significant attention due to the couple Kamila Andini and Ifa Isfansyah, delves into the life of a female protagonist entwined with the 1960s Indonesian cigarette industry. Each character exudes a captivating allure—veiled in a shroud of enigmatic secrecy—weaving an engaging narrative tapestry. This year’s BIFF will present the world premiere of the first two episodes, among the series of ten episodes. The program highlights Tales of the Otherwords (2016), centered on a 95-year-old grandmother who has lived through tumultuous eras spanning from Dutch and Japanese imperialism to independence and a coup d’état, and Posesif (2017), directed by Edwin, which presents the coming-of-age story of a teenage boy and girl, characterized by its refreshing yet profound perspective. The selection also includes Sara (2022) by Ismail Basbeth, which navigates the conflicts faced by a transgender woman within her family and community, and What They Don't Talk About When They Talk About Love (2012) by Mouly Surya, exploring the friendship and personal development of two blind girls. Impetigore (2019) by Joko Anwar, heralded by aficionados of horror cinema as one of the scariest films of its release year, also finds its place within the selection. Beyond these works, 5 short films by talented directors embarking on their first feature film projects will be introduced. ‘Renaissance of Indonesian Cinema’, a Special Program in Focus featuring captivating characters in a variety of genres, has secured significant backing from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology of Indonesia, resulting in a substantial expansion of its guest invitations. Directors and actors from each featured film are scheduled to visit Busan, taking part in a multitude of events, including Guest Visits (GV), where they will enthusiastically share their profound experiences with the audience. The 28th Busan International Film Festival, which has unveiled its 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.
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Spackman Entertainment Group’s New Action Film, A MAN OF REASON, Produced By Studio Take, Opens At The Korean Box Office
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 the Group's new action feature film, A MAN OF REASON, produced by the Group's wholly‐owned indirect subsidiary, Studio Take Co., Ltd. ("Studio Take"), opened yesterday at the Korean box office on August 15. The film was pre-sold to 153 countries including Singapore, the United States, Japan, Australia, Thailand, the Philippines, India, Russia, France, Germany, Spain, Italy and Poland, ahead of its official release in Korea. The official trailer of A MAN OF REASON can be viewed at the Group's website at spackmanentertainmentgroup.com Studio Take's A MAN OF REASON received widespread international recognition, premiering at the 42nd Hawaii International Film Festival in the US, with invitations to the 47th Toronto International Film Festival ("TIFF") in Canada and the 55th Sitges Film Festival in Spain. A MAN OF REASON was notably selected as the Special Presentation of the 2022 Official Selection at TIFF, one of the world's four major international film festivals. The production was praised for its impressive cinematography and compelling performances of its actors. The film features the story of Soo-hyeok (played by Jung Woo-sung), a man struggling to live a normal life after spending ten years in prison on behalf of his gang boss. The narrative unfolds as Soo-hyeok discovers he is a father and attempts to sever ties with his former gang, only to have the boss hire a notorious killer to take his daughter hostage. He decides to seek revenge, setting the stage for an intense, action-filled drama. Co-starring in the movie are Park Sung-woong of FOR THE EMPEROR (2014) and Kim Nam-gil of LOVERS VANISHED (2010), both films previously produced by the Group. The main distributor of A MAN OF REASON is Acemaker Movie Works. North American distribution rights have been acquired by the independent film and television studio, Epic Pictures Group, known for distributing genre films in the US and Canada. Movie Cloud and Swift Productions are the distributors for the Taiwan and France markets respectively. A MAN OF REASON further adds to Studio Take's record of exceptional filmmaking, following in the footsteps of their previous works, including the musical film THE BOX (2021), featuring EXO's Chanyeol, and the art film STONE SKIPPING (2020), which earned an invitation to the 23rd Busan International Film Festival. Studio Take's next project, THE GUEST (working title), is currently in post-production and scheduled to be released in the second half of this year or first half of next year. The Group remains confident in Studio Take's ongoing commitment to delivering a steady stream of top-tier cinematography.
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The Official Poster for the 28th Busan International Film Festival
The 28th Busan International Film Festival (BIFF), to be held from Oct 4 (Wed) to Oct 13 (Fri), has unveiled its official film festival and market posters. - Revealing the Official Posters for BIFF 2023 & ACFM 2023, Encapsulating This Year’s Radiance and Energy! The motif of this year’s official poster was inspired by vibrant rays of light passing through a revolving prism, creating a lustrous harmony of shapes and colors. While this image resembles the lights projected onto a theater screen, the blend of colors from various hues over a simple black background reminds us of the beautiful diversity of films and their unique narratives. The posters also add depth to this meaning as the images represent the radiant energy BIFF exudes as Asia’s largest film festival. The official poster for BIFF 2023 was designed by Choi Soon-dae, president of the Busan Ensemble of Contemporary Visual Design, who has also held the position of BIFF’s art director since its 2nd edition. This year’s official poster was inspired by To My Stars (2022), an original work by artist Shin Bong-chul, who explores the elements of light and glass. BIFF is preparing for another edition filled with a wide variety of films and active dialogue with audiences in continuation of last year’s successful hosting of in-person events. On Sept 5 (Tues) at 14:00 KST, BIFF will hold its Official Online Opening Press Conference, whereby features of the year, a program overview including opening and closing films, selections for each section, and details of major events will be presented. The 28th Busan International Film Festival, which is building anticipation with the reveal of its official posters, will be held for 10 days from Oct 4 (Wed) to Oct 13 (Fri) around the Busan Cinema Center.
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15th DMZ Docs Announces 24 Pitch Projects for DMZ Docs Documentary Market
The DMZ International Documentary Film Festival (Festival Director Chang Hae Rang, hereinafter DMZ Docs) aims to promote the values of “Peace, Life, and Communication” through documentaries, and it announces 24 DMZ Docs Pitch projects to participate in the documentary market, held from September 15 to September 19, 2023. DMZ Docs Industry discovers, supports, and fosters outstanding documentary projects from Korea and Asia, and it organizes a documentary market during the festival so that global documentary industry professionals and filmmakers can meet and interact with each other actively. DMZ Docs Pitch is a program that discovers documentary projects in production and introduces them to people engaged in the global documentary industry. For Korean and Asian documentary filmmakers who are producing meaningful documentaries in tough environments, the DMZ Docs Pitch provides invaluable opportunity to receive feedback on documentary production from experts. It also identifies the industrial demands to help the Korean and Asian documentary filmmakers secure funding. The DMZ Docs Pitch offers prize money to award winners and arranges meetings and individual consultations with broadcasting commissioners, funders, film festival staff, and sales and distribution companies for the pitch participants. A total of 123 entries from 37 countries were submitted for The DMZ Docs Pitch Program this year. The selection committees were composed of documentary experts from diverse fields and countries. The selection committee members include Korean members such as Filmmaker July JUNG, Moyoung Jin, Producer Gary Byungseok Kam, Editor Yeon Jung Lee, Muju Film Festival Programmer JO Ji Hoon, International members such as Producer Karim AITOUNA, Consultant Patrizia MANCINI, Producer Uldis CEKULIS, and DMZ Docs members such as Deputy Director OH Jung Hoon, Head of Programmer JANG Byungwon, and Industry Producer Sunah KIM. This year’s Global Pitch entries cover diverse topics, including women, poverty, adoption, disability, death, labor, environment, migration, gender, youth, elderly, and family issues. A member of the selection committee who reviewed the Korean entries said, “I could feel each project’s efforts to cover a wide range of topics and view diverse and sharp issues in Korean society from their own point of view and each producer’s struggles to complete the works even in tough conditions.” A member of the selection committee who reviewed Rough Cut Pitch said, “I selected the works by considering different aspects, such as novelty of topic, appealing power, expectation for completeness, and need for assistance.” The DMZ Docs Pitch entries are projects under production process or editing process, and all of them are granted 2 million won as a cash grant. They will be also participating in the Public Pitching during the DMZ Docs Documentary Market period and will be having one-to-one business meetings with global documentary industry professionals. After Public Pitching, the best project will be granted a total of 220 million won in cash and in kind as additional funds for completing the project. The 15th DMZ International Documentary Film Festival will be held from September 14 to September 21, 2023 and 2023 DMZ Docs Documentary Market will be held from September 15 to September 19, 2023, at Paju-si and Goyang Special city, Gyeonggi-do.
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Announcing the 30 Official Selections for the 2023 Asian Project Market
The 2023 Asian Project Market (APM), which will be held for 4 days from Oct 7 (Sat) to Oct 10 (Tues) at Exhibition Center 1 of the Busan Exhibition and Convention Center (BEXCO), has announced this year’s 30 selections. Asian Project Market, the biggest film investment and co-production market in Asia, has selected 30 projects for this year’s edition. With a total of 399 submissions from 50 countries, this year marked the second highest competition rate to date. This year saw a large number of submissions from China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan, while the number of Japanese and Taiwanese projects saw a significant increase from previous years. In particular, the increase in number of co-productions between countries in Asia and the Americas and Europe is raising expectations for Asian contents and creators. The large number of selections by BIFF alumni Asian directors is garnering much attention. APM 2023 official selections include Mr. Van (Vietnam / Germany) by director Kim Quy Bui, who was invited to the New Currents section at the 2021 Busan International Film Festival, and Southern Summer (China / Malaysia) by director Lan Tian, recipient of the Sonje Award at the 2022 Busan International Film Festival. In addition, Song Fang, alumnus of the first edition of the Asian Film Academy (AFA) who has become a prominent figure on the international stage, and Makbul Mubarak, AFA 2018 alumnus, have also returned to BIFF as directors. Furthermore, projects by directors Fukada Koji, Ahmed Yassin Al Daradji, and Kawawada Emma, who met with the audience at the 2022 Busan International Film Festival with past APM projects, Rima Das, who received high acclaim from critics and the media with last year’s BIFF official selection, Tora’s Husband (2022), and directors Hsu Chao-Jen and Hirose Nanako have been selected. The selection of various northeast Asian projects is also grabbing attention with collaborative projects between experienced and newly emerging directors, as well as selections with promising and creative stories. In addition, 7 Korean projects were selected for the 2023 Asian Project Market, including projects by directors Yoon Danbi, who received international recognition with her feature debut and quadruple crown winner at the 2019 Busan International Film Festival, Moving On (2019), An Old Lady (2019)’s Lim Sun-ae, A Leave (2020)’s Lee Ranhee, and Kim Mi-young, who received the DGK MEGABOX Award at the 2021 Busan International Film Festival. With director Lee Dongwoo’s Snake & Scorpion, a feature adaptation of last year’s Wide Angle selection of the same title, director Shin Sun of No Surprise (2021), and director Kang Yi Kwan, who will be revisiting BIFF with Morning Star, APM is expected to give insight to the future of Korean cinema. APM 2023, which has revealed the official selections for 2023, will be held for 4 days from Oct 7 (Sat) to Oct 10 (Tues) during the 18th Asian Contents & Film Market, while the 28th Busan International Film Festival will be held for 10 days from Oct 4 (Wed) to Oct 13 (Fri) at 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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28th BIFF : Registration for 28th Busan International Film Festival Badges, Now Available
The 28th Busan International Film Festival (BIFF), which will be held for 10 days from Oct 4 (Wed) to Oct 13 (Fri), will begin accepting registration for badges today. Accreditation for the 28th Busan International Film Festival is divided into three categories: Festival Badge for filmmakers, film industry professionals, and members of film associations, institutions, and organizations, Cinephile Badge for students in film-related majors in undergraduate and graduate programs, and Press Badge for journalists. Festival Badge holders will have access to up to 4 complimentary tickets per day, via the guest exclusive ticket desk and online reservation during the festival. Benefits such as access to P&I (Press & Industry) Screening, access to the Asian Contents & Film Market venue, and complimentary guest packages are available. Cinephile Badge holders will be provided with up to 4 complimentary tickets a day, via the Cinephile exclusive ticket desk. Participation in the Master Class programs and access to the Asian Contents & Film Market will also be available. Early bird registration for Festival Badges for the 28th Busan International Film Festival will take place for one month from Aug 1 (Tues) to Aug 31 (Thurs), 15:00 KST, while general registration will be open from Sept 1 (Fri) to Sept 13 (Wed). For Cinephile Badges, there will be no on-site registration, but only general registration from Aug 1 (Tues) to Sept 6 (Wed). More information on the badge application is available on the official website (https://www.biff.kr/eng/). The 28th Busan International Film Festival, which will be held for 10 days from Oct 4 (Wed) to Oct 13 (Fri) at the Busan Cinema Center, is garnering much anticipation with the start of the early bird registration period. Contact us: Guest Service Team (☏ +82-51-709-2153, 2154 / E-mail: guest@biff.kr)
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28th BIFF : Global Contents and Artists Under One Roof at the ‘ Asia Contents Awards & Global OTT Awards'
The Asia Contents Awards (ACA), an annual event to celebrate the achievements of excellent content on TV, OTT, and online platforms across Korea and Asia, is going global this year, and returning as the 2023 Asia Contents Awards & Global OTT Awards. The 2023 Asia Contents Awards & Global OTT Awards (ACA & G.OTT Awards) will join forces with the International OTT Festival, which will be co-hosted by the Ministry of Science and ICT and Busan Metropolitan City. Expanding its topography from Asia to the world, the ACA & G.OTT Awards is expected to present a differentiated content awards ceremony. This aims to embrace the changes in the growing content industry and celebrate the quality contents around the world, providing opportunities for notable contents to receive international recognition and make their marks in the global market. To accommodate the expansion of nominees from Asian to global content, the 2023 Asia Contents Awards & Global OTT Awards restructured the programs and presents a total of 17 award categories, introducing 5 newly added awards. The awards categories are composed of 10 competitive categories, including the Best Creative Award, which recognizes the most outstanding content of the year, Best Lead Actor/Actress, Best Supporting Actor/Actress, and the newly added Best Reality & Variety Award, and 7 non-competitive categories, including the Lifetime Achievement Award and Rising Star of the Year. Furthermore, following the increase in production and streaming of various contents through online video service platforms in recent years, a new award category for streaming platforms has also been introduced. This year’s ceremony, which will be attended by artists, producers, and OTT representatives from around the world, is garnering expectation from the audience with the announcement of various events, including the red carpet ceremony and celebratory performances. Meanwhile, the submissions for the 2023 Asia Content Awards & Global OTT Awards nominees, will begin in the first week of August. More details on the 2023 Asia Content Awards & Global OTT Awards, which will be held on Oct 8 (Sun), can be found on the official ACA website (http://www.globalottawards.org/).
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2023 Asian Contents & Film Market Opens Calls for Platform BUSAN
Platform BUSAN, the mutual growth network for independent filmmakers in Asia, is opening calls until Aug 15 (Tues). Platform BUSAN is a networking event that provides practical education and valuable information for up-and-coming Asian filmmakers, and allows them to share their experiences and seek mutual growth. Over the past 4 editions since its foundation in 2017, in which an accumulate of 809 people from 39 countries participated, Platform BUSAN has provided independent filmmakers in Asia with useful information and networking opportunities, from strengthening film production capabilities to establishing distribution strategies and the latest technological trends. Platform BUSAN, which resumed in 2022 after three years, was participated by Hong Kong’s leading director, Peter Chan of Comrades, Almost a Love Story (1996), prominent Asian filmmaker and screenwriter Rithy Panh, and director Wang Bing, who presented a new paradigm for documentaries, drawing an explosive response from the emerging filmmakers as the acclaimed figures shared their personal experiences and exclusive expertise. Furthermore, through various seminars and talk programs co-hosted by the Busan International Film Festival and Asian Contents & Film Market, along with partner institutions such as European Film Promotion (EFP) and Malaysian Development Lab for Fiction Feature Films (mylab), Platform BUSAN provided professional information for Asian independent filmmakers, such as cases of international co-production, the role of film commissions, and the trend of sound post-production. In addition, last year, through partnerships with Thailand’s Purin Pictures, Directorate of Film, Music, and Media of the Indonesian Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology, Indonesia’s Jakarta Film Week, Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP), Taiwan Creative Content Agency (TAICCA), and Japan’s Visual Industry Promotion Organization (VIPO), Platform BUSAN put effort in creating a stable environment for the participation of Asian countries, serving as a bridge for potential filmmakers to go beyond their national boundaries and into the world stage. 2023 Platform BUSAN will also establish a strong venue of networking for emerging Asian filmmakers and provide a new paradigm for the fostering of future talents through programs that provide practical support and business opportunities with industry professionals for them at ACFM. 2023 Platform BUSAN, which is recruiting participants until August 15 (Tues), targets emerging Asian filmmakers who have participated in more than one short film or up to 2 feature film projects as main staff. All programs will be conducted in English. More information can be found on the ACFM 2023 official website (https://www.acfm.kr/eng/)
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2023 Asian Contents & Film Market Opens Registration
The Asian Contents & Film Market (ACFM) will open registration for film, audiovisual, and content industry professionals on July 17 (Mon). ACFM 2023 to Provide Increased Convenience for Participants Early Bird Registration: July 17 (Mon) – Aug 31 (Thurs) General Registration: Sept 1 (Fri) – Sept 13 (Wed) Asian Contents & Film Market is a business venue at which professionals in the content industry, such as film, audiovisual, book, webtoon, web novel, and story, from 50 countries gather to conduct transaction and promotion for film and original IP and build a network, while assessing the current trend in relevant industries. Last year’s ACFM, the only event in Asia to be held on-site, boasted the highest number of participation up to date, with a total of 2,465 participants from 49 countries. Busan Story Market (BSM), the rights market for audiovisual adaptation, selected 51 IPs from 5 countries and conducted a record high number of 1,027 meetings, affirming its position as the largest content market in Asia. In addition, 272 organizations and companies from 22 countries participated in the booths, while the production support programs, Asian Project Market (APM) and Asian Cinema Fund (ACF), as well as 20 market conferences and Platform BUSAN were all held successfully. ACFM 2023, which will be held at Exhibition Center 1 of BEXCO, will open registration for the market badge and sales booth on the official ACFM website (https://www.acfm.kr/eng/) on July 17th. Those who register for a market badge during the early bird period, from July 17 (Mon) to Aug 31 (Thurs), will receive a 25% discount from the general price. In addition, through the trilateral business agreement with HanaTour ITC and MICELINK, ACFM is providing the market guests and participants with an efficient hotel reservation management solution. This system will provide enhanced convenience for all market goers as guests will be able to confirm their accommodation information at once, while participants will be able to reserve accommodations at reasonable prices. The Asian Contents & Film Market, which is growing each year with the global expansion of K-content and expected to present more contents and further diversified support programs and events, will be held for four days from Oct 7 (Sat) to Oct 10 (Tues) at Hall 1, Exhibition Center 1 of the Busan Exhibition and Convention Center (BEXCO).
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Son Suk-Ku’s Upcoming Highlight Anticipated Netflix Original Drama, D.P. Season 2, Premieres on July 28
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 Son Suk-ku of the Group's associated company, Spackman Media Group Limited ("Spackman Media Group"), stars in the highly anticipated Netflix original crime drama series, D.P. Season 2, which premieres on July 28, 2023. Son Suk-ku returns to the second season of Netflix's D.P., which is based on the webcomic D.P. DOG'S DAY written by Kim Bo-Tong. The story relates the experiences of the mandatory military service in South Korea. D.P. Season 2 comes on the heels of Son Suk-ku's most recent Disney+ record-breaking Korean drama, BIG BET Season 2, which raked in the highest viewership on the Disney+ platform during its inaugural week in February 2023, surpassing all previous Korean original content on the streaming service. Directed by Han Jun-hee, Jung Hae-in, Koo Gyo-hwan, Kim Sung-kyun, Ji Jin-hee, Kim Ji-hyun and Choi Hyun-wook star together with Son Suk-ku and form the main cast of D.P. Season 2. The Netflix official trailer of D.P. Season 2 can be viewed at youtu.be/1L9d3NyIt2o and the six main character posters have been released by Netflix, according to NAVER News[1]. Son Suk-ku currently stars in ARMY ON A TREE, a Korean theatre production based on the work of the late Japanese writer Hisashi Inoue. ARMY ON A TREE, which runs till August 5, 2023, tells the true story of a veteran soldier and an army recruit (played by Son Suk-ku). While hidden in a Gajumaru tree from 1945 until March 1947 and unaware of Japan's defeat in Okinawa, their extraordinary tale of survival is a test of endurance, hope, and the complexities of human nature during times of extreme adversity, which invites audiences to reflect on the implications of war. Dominating both the big and small screens in Korea, Son Suk-ku of Spackman Media Group garnered unparalleled rankings and viewership in his productions with lead roles in BIG BET Season 2, THE ROUNDUP, which was the top box office performing film of 2022, and MY LIBERATION NOTES, the K-drama that caused a syndrome throughout Korea in 2022. Son Suk-ku's exceptional acting talent has gained widespread recognition in mainstream television and film. Last month, Son Suk-ku achieved the top spot in the movie star brand reputation of actors in Korea in May 2023, according to the Korea Corporate Reputation Research Institute[2]. The result was obtained by a brand analysis of 50 actors from April 29, 2023, to May 29, 2023, which studied big data from consumers' brand reception and the volume of media and community interest on the actors. Son Suk-ku ranked first among the 50 actors, surpassing other renowned actors including Song Joong-ki, Ma Dong-seok, Jeon Do-yeon and Kim Hye-soo. In February of this year, he secured the coveted top spot in the 2023 MALE ACTORS TO WATCH survey conducted by Cine21, a prestigious weekly film magazine in Korea. Furthermore, Son Suk-ku achieved the top-ranking in movie star brand reputation, as recognized by the Korea Corporate Reputation Research Institute in January 2023. In December 2022, he also received the prestigious JTBC Grand Prize at the 2022 TV Drama Acting Awards held by Good Data Corporation, an online competitive analysis agency for K-content in Korea. Son Suk-ku is planning to headline in Netflix's Korean drama MURDER DIEARY (2024), which is a crime thriller dark comedy based on a popular webtoon of the same name. Son Suk-ku is managed by SBD Entertainment Inc. ("SBD Entertainment"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Spackman Media Group that represents the careers of 12 artists. In addition to Son Suk-ku, SBD Entertainment also represents one of Korea's rapidly rising young actors, Han Ji-hyun of popular K-drama THE PENTHOUSE 3, who won the Best Rookie Female Actor in the 2021 Brand Customer Loyalty Awards in Korea and endorsed Shiseido in 2022. ### [1] NAVER News, https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=416&aid=0000296763&viewType=pc, 5 July 2023 [2] Naver, https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=382&aid=0001054035&viewType=pc, 30 May 2023
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Alibaba Pictures' "Lost in the Stars" Emerges as Summer Box Office Sensation in Resurgent Chinese Film Market
Mainland China's film market has long been one of the most dynamic and promising in the world, and in the first half of this year, the Chinese film market experienced an exciting recovery. In particular, the recent release of "Lost in the Stars" (消失的她), in which Alibaba Pictures Group Limited (Stock code:1060, referred to as the "Company") was heavily involved in the investment and distribution, has generated significant buzz at the box office and created a wave of movie-going frenzy. In just over 10 days since its release, the film's box office receipts have exceeded RMB2.7 billion, equivalent to 9% of China's total box office revenue last year, making it a dark horse at the box office and the opening of the summer season for the Company. "Lost in the Stars" leads the way in the summer box office As the primary producer, distributor, and promoter of the film, Alibaba Pictures has achieved a full-scale deployment in the production and marketing chain of "Lost in the Stars", including investment, distribution, ticket sales and other aspects. "Lost in the Stars" is also the prelude to the Company's rich lineup of 16 films for the summer season. The strong start to the season once again demonstrates the Company's forward-looking planning in the content industry and the continuous improvement of its production and development capabilities. After the Dragon Boat Festival, the summer box office season kicked off, and the number of scheduled films has exceeded 90 and continues to grow, making this year's film market performance highly anticipated. According to data from Beacon Professional, as of 4pm, July 6, the total box office revenue (including pre-sales) of this year's summer box office had exceeded RMB5.626 billion. The film "Lost in the Stars", released by Alibaba Pictures and Taopiaopiao, continued its momentum as a dark horse at the box office during the Dragon Boat Festival, leading the summer box office. As of 4pm, July 6, the box office receipts of "Lost in the Stars" had exceeded RMB2.728 billion, making it one of the hottest films of the summer, and it is expected to become the top grossing film in the summer box office and post the largest attendance record in the past three years. Alibaba Pictures continues to expand its presence in the entertainment industry Alibaba Pictures has strong capabilities in film production, distribution, and promotion, and will further strengthen its presence in the pan-entertainment industry by enhancing its dual-engine strategy of "content and technology", while building out its own unique entertainment ecosystem. The Company is making significant investments in a full range of entertainment content and enhancing its capabilities to produce a broader range of content, including film and drama series content, with a view to steadily delivering high-quality content to the market. It is also expanding the scope of its technology platform services and exploring business opportunities associated with digital humans and multiple business models for IP merchandising and commercialization, in order to provide consumers with a richer, better and more tangible product experience. Moreover, the Company is actively promoting its collaboration and cooperation within the Alibaba ecosystem, such as online live streaming, online ticketing, and film merchandising, to unlock the potential of "content + technology". In addition to investment and product layout, the Company also emphasizes cooperation and communication within the industry. Through cooperation with domestic and overseas film companies, directors, actors, and others, it brings more international elements to the development of China's film industry and enhances the international visibility and influence of Chinese films. In the future, with the recovery of China's film market, Alibaba Pictures will continue to adhere to its dual-engine strategy and innovative spirit, strengthen cooperation with all parties, and continuously promote the development of China's film industry to bring greater returns to investors.
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Spackman Entertainment Group Set To Release Upcoming Action Film, A MAN OF REASON, On August 15 In Korea
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 the Group's upcoming action feature film, A MAN OF REASON, produced by the Group's wholly‐owned indirect subsidiary, Studio Take Co., Ltd. ("Studio Take"), is set to be released theatrically in Korea on August 15, 2023. Studio Take's A MAN OF REASON has already attracted global attention, premiering at the 42nd Hawaii International Film Festival in the US, with invitations to the 47th Toronto International Film Festival ("TIFF") in Canada and the 55th Sitges Film Festival in Spain. A MAN OF REASON was notably selected as the Special Presentation of the 2022 Official Selection at TIFF, one of the world's four major international film festivals. The production was praised for its impressive cinematography and compelling performances of its actors. The film features the story of Soo-hyeok (played by Jung Woo-sung), a man struggling to live a normal life after spending ten years in prison on behalf of his gang boss. The narrative unfolds as Soo-hyeok discovers he is a father and attempts to sever ties with his former gang, only to have the boss hire a notorious killer to take his daughter hostage. He decides to seek revenge, setting the stage for an intense, action-filled drama. Co-starring in the movie are Park Sung-woong of FOR THE EMPEROR (2014) and Kim Nam-gil of LOVERS VANISHED (2010), both films previously produced by the Group. The movie is distributed by Acemaker Movie Works. North American distribution rights have been acquired by the independent film and television studio, Epic Pictures Group, known for distributing genre films in the US and Canada. A MAN OF REASON further adds to Studio Take's record of exceptional filmmaking, following in the footsteps of their previous works, including the musical film THE BOX (2021), featuring EXO's Chanyeol, and the art film STONE SKIPPING (2020), which earned an invitation to the 23rd Busan International Film Festival. Moreover, Studio Take's next promising project, THE GUEST, is currently in post-production and scheduled for release later this year. With a history of standout releases and compelling forthcoming projects, the Group is confident in Studio Take's ongoing commitment to delivering a steady stream of top-tier cinema.
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Busan International Film Festival 2nd General Assembly Report
The Busan International Film Festival held the 2nd general assembly of 2023 on June 26 (Mon) at the Busan Cinema Center, BIFF Hill. The agenda for the dismissal of managing director, Cho Jongkook, who was instated during the 1st Busan International Film Festival general meeting in 2023, was passed (28 participants, 16 votes for, 12 votes against). In addition, the regulations for the acting system to fill the vacancies from the resignation of former festival director Huh Moonyung and the dismissal of managing director Cho Jongkook has been revised. In accordance with the amendment of ‘In the case an accident befalls the festival director, the program director, and in the case of the managing director, the deputy director, will take over the respective duties’, former festival director Huh Moonyung’s vacancy will be filled by program director Nam Dong-chul, and deputy director Kang Seung-ah will take on managing director Cho Jongkook’s role. Furthermore, the Preparation Committee of the Busan International Film Festival Innovation Committee has announced that it will present and report the composition and roles of the Innovation Committee to the board of directors. The Innovation Committee will discuss various agendas regarding the Busan International Film Festival’s new vision, future development direction, address accumulated problems, appointment of a new chairperson, and prepare for its 30th edition. Finally, chairman Lee Yong-kwan handed in his resignation as of today. In early May, following festival director Huh Moonyung’s sudden announcement of resignation, chairman Lee Yong-kwan announced his resignation, stating that he would take full responsibility for all the incidents that occurred due to the uncontrollable conflicts within and outside of the organization and partisanship at the film festival over the past month. On May 15 (Mon), at a press rounding held in Busan, he expressed his intention to resign after completing the preparations for this year’s event, assuring that it can proceed without disruption. However, the situation has evolved to a state that even such preparations have become difficult, and the chairman has announced that he will take full responsibility. Furthermore, in the message that he sent to the board of directors and the executive committee, he pleaded for their unswaying resolution in supporting the film festival and the protection of the film festival employees, who are working diligently. To all the executives and staff of the film festival, he expressed his apologies, stating that it is his judgement that the current desolate situation, in which all members of the festival are facing brutal turmoil, will be overcome with his resignation. To this, the board of directors and the executive committee asked chairman Lee Yong-kwan to fulfill his duties as chairperson until the completion of this year’s festival, and announced that they will hold a separate meeting for the return of chairman Lee Yong-kwan. ■ 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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Director SUWA Nobuhiro Appointed Dean of 2023 CHANEL X BIFF Asian Film Academy
Asia’s most significant film education program, CHANEL X BIFF Asian Film Academy, has appointed this year’s dean and faculty, beginning the preparations for its 2023 edition. - Director SUWA Nobuhiro, Master of Bold Mise-en-scène, to Lead the 2023 CHANEL X BIFF Asian Film Academy! The 2023 CHANEL X BIFF Asian Film Academy’s faculty consists of director Suwa Nobuhiro as dean, director Kim Hee-Jung as directing mentor, and cinematographer Artur Żurawski as cinematography mentor. Through this year’s faculty appointment, a blueprint for discovering new talents in Asian cinema is underway. Director Suwa Nobuhiro, who is set to lead the 2023 CHANEL X BIFF Asian Film Academy, came to the forefront with his official debut, 2/Duo (1997) which was honoured with the NETPAC Award at the 1997 Rotterdam International Film Festival and a Special Mention for the Dragons and Tigers Award at the 1997 Vancouver International Film Festival. Following his debut, he received the FIPRESCI Award at the 1999 Cannes Film Festival with his second film, M/Other (1999), and the Jury’s Special Prize and C.I.C.A.E Award at the 2005 Locarno International Film Festival with A Perfect Couple (2005), receiving numerous awards and high acclaim from the media and critics around the world. Establishing his unique style using refreshing cinematic language that twists clichés, Suwa built his filmography by participating in various global projects. The omnibus film, Paris, je t'aime (2006), in which he collaborated with 20 directors, including the world-renowned Alfonso Cuarón and Coen brothers, and starred 50 leading celebrities such as Natalie Portman, Juliette Binoche, and Willem Dafoe, was screened in the Un Certain Regard section of the 2006 Cannes Film Festival. Yuki & Nina (2009), which he co-directed with French actor Hippolyte Girardot, debuted at the 2010 Berlin International Film Festival. He is currently a professor at the Tokyo University of the Arts, focusing on maintaining the sustainable development of cultural arts. Director Kim Hee-Jung will be joining the faculty as the directing mentor. Known for her distinctive delicate screenplay and lyrical directorial style since her feature debut, The Wonder Years (2007), Kim has continued her career in domestic and international spheres, participating in leading international film festivals. She received the Korea Creative Content Agency (KOCCA) Award at the 2016 Busan International Film Festival’s Asian Project Market (APM) with The French Woman (2019), and at the 2023 Jeonju International Film Festival presented the closing film, Where Would You Like to Go?, a 2021 APM selection scheduled to be released in theaters on July 5 this year. She is currently a professor in the Department of Creative Writing at Chosun University. Polish cinematographer Artur Żurawski, who was a cinematography mentor at the 2018 Asian Film Academy, will return to the position this year for the 2023 CHANEL X BIFF Asian Film Academy. He received international acclaim with his work in Sultan (2016), an official selection at the Busan International Film Festival in 2016 and the highest-grossing film of the year in India. He was awarded Best Cinematography at the 2018 Berlin Sci-fi Filmfest with Zblizenie (2017) and nominated for Best Film at the 2021 Gdynia Film Festival with Lokatorka (2021). He continues to work on animations, films, documentaries, TV series, advertisements and music videos. - Record High Apply Rate of 21:1! Returning with an Updated Curriculum, Program Period Extended and Script Doctor Onboard The CHANEL X BIFF Asian Film Academy, which provided a roadmap for developing Asian film education with Chanel joining as co-host in 2022, anticipates a further strengthened educational program this year. Extending the program period from 18 to 20 days seeks to secure additional time for pre-production and feedback, enhancing the quality of the projects. In addition to the original line-up of the dean, directing mentor, and cinematography mentor, a screenplay specialist, the ‘script doctor’, will join the faculty to develop the storyline. This year’s script doctor is director Lee Wanmin, who received high praise with Archaeology of Love (2023). 2023 CHANEL X BIFF Asian Film Academy received a record high apply rate of 21:1, with 503 applicants from 37 countries. There has been a 24% increase in female applicants and an increase in applicants from South Asian countries such as Bangladesh, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, and India. The high level of interest in the program by new filmmakers is evidenced by the increase in applications from China, Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam, Mongolia, and Taiwan from last year. Achievements of the Asian Film Academy alumni are receiving attention. 2018 fellow Zoljargal Purevdash’s first feature film, If Only I Could Hibernate, was invited to the Un Certain Regard section of the 2023 Cannes Film Festival, of which directing mentor of the year Tan Chui Mui was associate producer. In Flames, which was screened at the 2023 Cannes Directors’ Fortnight, was directed by 2019 alumni Zarrar Kahn, alongside 2018 alum Aigul Nurbulatova as cinematographer. The proactive use of the Asian Film Academy’s alumni to organize collaborations and make successful debuts draws attention to the program’s long-term benefits. The final fellows selected for the 2023 CHANEL X BIFF Asian Film Academy will participate in the 20-day program from Sept 24 to Oct 13. During this time, the fellows will be provided with professional education and mentoring and produce short films. The two films completed during the program will be officially screened at the 28th Busan International Film Festival. ■ The 28th Busan International Film Festival : Oct 4 (Wed) – Oct 13 (Fri) ■ The 18th Asian Contents & Film Market : Oct 7 (Sat) – Oct 10 (Tues)
