30th Busan International Film Festival Volunteer Recruitment
Call for Audience Programmers: Request Cinema at the Community BIFF
Canada named 2025 Focus Country for Producer Hub at ACFM
Busan International Film Festival Appoints JUNG Hanseok as New Festival Director
BIFF Recommends Programmer JUNG Hanseok as Candidate for New Festival Director
Applications now open for the CHANEL X BIFF Asian Film Academy 2025
Annoucing the Nominees for the 18th Asian Film Awards
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
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ACA & G.OTT Awards 2024 Winners Revealed
Asia Contents Awards & Global OTT Awards 2024, held Oct 6 (Sun) at BIFF Theater, unveiled its winners. - Asia Contents Awards & Global OTT Awards 2024, The Best Content and Audience Come Together for a Festive Night The Asia Contents Awards & Global OTT Awards, co-hosted by the Ministry of Science and ICT and Busan Metropolitan City, and co-organized by the Busan International Film Festival and the National IT Industry Promotion Agency, opened grandly with actors Kang Ki-young and Tiffany Young as hosts, and performances by Nerd Connection and TRI.BE added to the festive atmosphere. First, in the Best Creative category, which recognizes works that contribute to the diversification of content through innovative ideas and fresh formats, director Wong Kar-wai’s first feature series Blossoms Shanghai was honored with the award. Hu Ge, the lead actor of Blossoms Shanghai, also won Best Lead Actor(Male), making the series a double winner. Imperfect Us, the most nominated work this year, earned two awards: Ariel Lin for Best Lead Actor(Female) and Tanya Chua’s "Learn to Live Again" for Best Original Song, a newly introduced category. The People’s Choice Award, also launched this year to encourage audience engagement, was awarded to Byeon Woo-seok and Kim Hyeyoon from Lovely Runner after receiving approximately 600,000 votes from global viewers via Kinolights. Among a competitive field of contenders, the standout achievements of Korean films and actors are also notable. Coupang Play’s Boyhood, a domestic and international hit, won Best OTT Original, an award given to original OTT series that are recognized for their popularity and quality. Mask Girl, which gained attention by rising to second place in Netflix's non-English TV category after its release, took home the honor of Best Supporting Actor as Ahn Jae-hong and Yeom Hye-ran swept the awards. Best Writer was awarded to Ju Hwa-mi for The Atypical Family, a series that uniquely reimagines the superhero genre through a distinctly Korean lens. Additionally, Chae Jong-hyeop from Eye Love You, which swept Japan by taking the top spot on Netflix Japan, and Kim Yo-han from The Killer Paradox, which ranked first in 11 countries shortly after its release, jointly won the Best Newcomer Actor(Male), showcasing the success of Korean actors both domestically and internationally. Best Visual Effects went to Parasyte: The Grey, receiving great support from the judges. The diversifying Asian content once again proved its growing global influence as well. In the Best Asian Contents category, Kazakhstan's 1286 won the award, signaling the rise of a new powerhouse. Best Director went to Kamila Andini and Ifa Isfansyah for Netflix Indonesia’s first original series, Cigarette Girl. In the Best Reality & Variety category, Thailand's hit show Two Faces, where participants meet their doppelgängers, shared the award with Korea’s Jinny's Kitchen 2, which not only became a domestic sensation but also ranked first in the non-drama category on Prime Video in eight countries, further solidifying the global presence of Korean variety shows. The emergence of new Asian stars also stood out. In the Best Newcomer Actor(Female) category, Nimura Sawa was nominated for her delicate yet powerful performance in her debut leading role in SHUT UP. The Rising Star of the Year Award, recognizing individuals with both domestic and international influence, was jointly awarded to Anson Kong, who transitioned from Hong Kong pop star to next-generation actor in Warriors Within 2; Jo Yoonsu, a rising star in Korea for her role in The Tyrant; and Miyoshi Ayaka, who has excelled across modeling, acting, and variety shows, including Globe-Trotter Travel Guidebook. Together, they represent the emergence of a new wave of Asian stars. The Creative Beyond Border category, which recognizes efforts to pioneer new genres in the OTT space, went to TVING's shamanism documentary Shaman: Whispers from the Dead. The New Technology Award, given to platforms providing innovative services using ICT-based technologies, was awarded to KOCOWA, which effectively incorporated AI technology to strengthen its position as a global content platform.
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Asia's Top Content Market Takes Another Leap Forward! The 2024 ACFM Kicks Off Tomorrow
The Asian Contents & Film Market (ACFM), Asia’s top business platform encompassing planning, production, investment, and rights transactions for film and audiovidual content as well as original IP such as stories and webtoons will open tomorrow, Oct 5 (Sat). Now in its 19th year, the ACFM has established itself as Asia’s premier business platform for the planning, production, investment, and rights transactions of films, video content, and IP, as well as for promoting industries from various countries. Revenue of the market for areas such as sales booths, advertising, badges, and conference slots have grown by more than 10% compared to previous years, and interest in the Asian Project Market and Busan Story Market is higher than ever. Busan Story Market, which focuses on IP transactions, continues to grow year after year. This year, a new networking platform called ‘Producer Hub’ has been established, where global producers can share information on film investment, production, filming and various support programs. Korea has been selected as the ‘Focus Country’, and a variety of programs, including speed meetings, case studies on international co-productions, producer talks, seminars, and networking events, will be presented. Additionally, the ACFM Conference, which has doubled in scale compared to previous years, will offer a diverse range of content that will assess the present and future of the Asian content industry. Notably, the AI conference has drawn immense attention, with pre-registration filling up rapidly due to high demand. First, 253 companies from 30 countries will participate in the sales market and exhibition booths. In addition to the European Pavilion organized by the European Film Promotion (EFP), Italy and the UK have established their own national pavilions, and national pavilions from countries such as Saudi Arabia, Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan, Taiwan, Japan, the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, and Mongolia will also be present. Microsoft will participate in the exhibition booths to demonstrate its programs, including Copilot, showcasing the convergence of technology and content. At the Busan Story Market, which introduces 47 original IPs (29 from Korea, 18 from overseas) selected through public submissions and collaboration with overseas partners, domestic and international content-related organizations and various content platforms will participate in business and networking, including rights transactions for adaptations. Participants include domestic broadcasters such as SLL, Studio S, Studio&NEW, Studio Dragon, Climax Studio, as well as production and investment companies like Nipictures, Alibaba Pictures, Showbox, and Megabox Plus M. Now in its 27th year, the Asian Project Market boasts an impressive project completion rate of 44%, with 691 selected projects and 304 completed works over the past 26 years. Among the projects that were completed, eight films, including three selected for the New Currents section, are being screened at this year's Busan International Film Festival. Completed APM projects have been invited to major film festivals 778 times, with a total of 2,036 festival invitations across all completed works. This year, 30 feature film projects from 17 countries have been selected, with 13 categories of awards awaiting the most promising projects. The Asian Cinema Fund, which supports the incubation, production, and completion of Asian films, has provided support to 13 works across three funds. The filmmakers of the selected projects will also participate in the ACFM, where they will have opportunities for meetings and project promotion. Platform BUSAN, a collaborative growth network for independent filmmakers, will see participation from 174 emerging filmmakers from 28 countries, offering them growth opportunities through various market programs, including seven exclusive sessions unique to Platform BUSAN. The newly established Producer Hub will feature the participation of 123 global producers from 19 countries, selected through producer recommendations in partnership with eight organizations from seven countries, along with individual applications. Korea has been selected as the 'Focus Country' with 47 Korean producers participating, co-hosted by the Korean Film Council. Nine sessions will be presented, including speed meetings and networking luncheons for the participating producers, as well as discussions on support policies and the current state of international co-productions in countries like Korea, Spain, and Hong Kong. The ACFM Conference will feature 28 sessions, including an AI conference that has been curated in-house, showcasing high-quality programs close to those of previous years. The AI conference, themed ‘The Film & Content Industry Riding the AI Tide,’ drew strong interest from the industry, with all pre-reserved spots filling up quickly. It features a panel of AI experts and industry leaders. Additionally, through the Asia OTT Conference, there will be opportunities to explore strategies for domestic OTT platforms to survive amid competition with global platforms, as well as the growth potential and storytelling strategies for Asian OTT. Furthermore, collaborations with relevant film industry organizations from Korea, including the Korean Film Council, Busan Film Commission, and Gyeonggi Content Agency, as well as from Malaysia, Hong Kong, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Europe, and Mongolia, will provide insights into global film industry trends, project pitching by country, and introductions to inter-country collaboration policies, offering a wealth of rich programs. The Asian Contents & Film Market, where the present and future of the global content industry will be discussed, will be held from Oct 5 (Sat) to Oct 8 (Tues) at the BEXCO Exhibition Center 2 in Busan. ▶ 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: Opening Ceremony Streaming Live
The 29th Busan International Film Festival will stream its opening ceremony live on Naver TV on Oct 2 (Wed). Enjoy Asia's Largest Film Festival! Streaming Live on Naver TV The 29th Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) will begin its 10-day journey with Park Boyoung and Ahn Jaehong as Opening Ceremony hosts. This year, a total of 278 films from 63 countries, including 54 screenings as part of Community BIFF, will be presented on 26 screens in five theater venues, including Busan Cinema Center, CGV Centum City, LOTTE CINEMA Centum City, KOFIC Theater, and MEGABOX Busan Theater. At the Opening Ceremony, two awards will be presented: the Asian Filmmaker of the Year Award, which is granted to a person or organization who has shown outstanding contributions to the development of the Asian film industry and culture throughout the year, and the Korean Cinema Award, which is presented to cineastes who have made a notable contribution towards the globalization of Korean cinema. In addition, the Camellia Award, newly established this year by the Busan International Film Festival and CHANEL to celebrate women in cinema and recognize their cultural and artistic contributions across Asia, will be presented at the Opening Ceremony. The BIFF is garnering high anticipation with its various events and programs, including new works by up-and-coming as well as established directors across the globe. There will be opportunities to listen to the stories of cinematic masters including Kurosawa Kiyoshi, who will receive the Asian Filmmaker of the Year and also bring his latest films Serpent’s Path (2024) and Cloud to the BIFF this year; Miguel Gomes, whose entire body of feature films will be screened as the Special Program in Focus ‘Miguel GOMES: a filmmaker of Joyful Melancholy’; and Ann Hui, icon of the Hong Kong New Wave. Schedules for various events such as the Open Talk, Outdoor Stage Greetings, and Actors’ House have also been unveiled. The Asian Film & Contents Market (ACFM) has newly introduced the Producer Hub in order to aid networking between industry professionals and prepared a conference to discuss the timely topic of the impact of AI on the film industry and its development, suggesting the future of the Korean and Asian content industry. Joined by the CHANEL X BIFF Asian Film Academy with its increased number of short films created, Community BIFF and BIFF Everywhere which will be celebrating cinema all around Busan’s grounds, and the Asia Contents Awards & Global OTT Awards with an ever-wider selection of contents, the BIFF is ready to greet its audience. The Opening Ceremony will be broadcast live on Naver TV (tv.naver.com/biff23) from 18:00 (KST) on Oct 2 (Wed). Through the live streaming service, more people will be able to enjoy the atmosphere of Asia’s largest film festival. The 29th Busan International Film Festival will take place from Oct 2 (Wed) to Oct 11 (Fri), at Busan Cinema Center and its surrounding areas. ▶ 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 ACFM to Unveil Its Unprecedented Lineup
Asian Contents & Film Market (ACFM), a comprehensive marketplace for worldwide film and audiovisual content, including original IPs, unveiled its conference lineup, offering greater depth and quality than ever before. - ACFM to Lead the Way into a New Paradigm with a focus on timely and impactful topics; AI and Asia’s OTT platforms This year’s Asian Contents & Film Market (ACFM) conference has invited leading experts in various fields to showcase the latest trends in the Korean and Asian content industries and present an optimistic vision of the future. Collaborating with prominent organizations and companies both domestically and internationally, ACFM has unveiled a lineup nearly twice as diverse as last year. ACFM will feature an AI conference across six sessions to explore the potential changes AI will bring to the Asian film and content industry and to pursue innovations that lie along with these changes. Beginning with a keynote speech, attendees will be able to check the roadmaps of key players from the content industries in Korea, China, and Japan. The attendees will also be able to experience the core technology demonstrated by six leading companies in the AI sector. The sessions will also examine how AI will transform traditional film production and discuss ways the content industry can coexist with AI. Leading global players such as Stability AI, a developer of generative AI image; Story Protocol, a start-up on IP protection through block-chain technology; Microsoft; WEBTOON Entertainment(Naver Webtoon's Global Platform); WYSIWYG Studios; iQIYI; RivetAI; and DENTSU INC. will participate. Moreover, the Asia OTT Conference offers a comprehensive examination of business strategies across various Asian OTT platforms, comparing storytelling techniques tailored for series, short-form content, and more. As Asian platforms compete against global giants, the sessions will explore strategies for local OTT players to thrive. The conference will also analyze the immense growth potential of Asian OTT platforms, focusing on the distinct storytelling methods that set them apart. At ACFM’s newly established Producer Hub, launched for international co-production and financing, participants will have opportunities for speed meetings and networking luncheons while reviewing current policies supporting international co-production from countries including Korea, Spain, and Hong Kong. Busan Story Market, a platform for trading original IPs, will introduce 23 Korean and Taiwanese IPs through Pitch & Match sessions. Additionally, the APM Showcase will present 30 officially selected projects from the Asian Project Market. Platform BUSAN, a co-growth network for Asian independent filmmakers, will offer opportunities for emerging filmmakers to network and exchange valuable know-how and experiences through sessions like Producer’s Talk and Pitch & Meet. In addition, a variety of events have been organized in collaboration with major institutions from Korea, including the Korean Film Council, the Busan Film Commission, and the Gyeonggi Content Agency (GCA), as well as organizations from Malaysia, Hong Kong, Saudi Arabia, Italy, Spain, Europe, and Mongolia. The program features country-specific project pitches and presentations of international collaboration policies, providing a global overview of industry trends and future opportunities. Running from October 5th (Saturday) to 8th (Tuesday) at BEXCO, Busan, ACFM 2024 will serve as a platform for exploring the past, present, and future of the global content industry.
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BIFF X CHANEL to Present the Camellia Award as Part of the 29th BIFF to Celebrate Women in Cinema
The Camellia Award, newly established this year by the Busan International Film Festival and CHANEL on the occasion of the 29th International Film Festival, was created to celebrate women in cinema and recognise their cultural and artistic contributions across Asia. The first recipient of the award is Korean production designer Ryu Seong-hie. Throughout history, pioneering women worldwide have made enormous contributions to the cinema industry, including direction, production, screenwriting, cinematography, and production design. Today, their creative journeys, which dare to challenge traditional norms and modes of thinking, are a source of strength and inspiration, forging a path for future generations of women in the industry across Asia. The Camellia Award was created to celebrate the power of women in cinema. The award is given to a prominent filmmaker or industry professional whose work has creatively inspired others. The award's name is inspired by the camellia, which is both Busan's city flower and Gabrielle Chanel's favourite flower. Ryu Seong-hie, the first honoree of the award, is a prominent Korean production designer who majored in ceramics at Hongik University and studied film at the American Film Institute (AFI). She has established a distinguished career through numerous works, including Memories of Murder (2003), Oldboy (2003), The Host (2006), Thirst (2009), The Front Line (2011), Ode to My Father (2014), Assassination (2015), Decision to Leave (2022) and more. Notably, she has frequently collaborated with director Park Chan-wook, and with The Handmaiden (2016), she became the first Korean to win the Vulcan Prize at the Cannes Film Festival, demonstrating the world-class level of Korean cinema. Production designer Ryu Seong-hie has played a pivotal role in the aesthetic vision of films through her refined sensibility. In the collaborative world of filmmaking, where many contribute to the final product and roles like production design often remain overshadowed by directors and actors, Ryu Seong-hie has firmly established her position and the significance of production design in the film industry. Selected by the Busan International Film Festival and CHANEL, the first-ever Camellia Award will be presented at the 2024 Busan International Film Festival opening ceremony on Oct 2 (Wed). A special talk with production designer Ryu Seong-hie is also scheduled for Oct 5 (Sat). The 29th Busan International Film Festival will be held at the Busan Cinema Center from Oct 2 (Wed) to Oct 11 (Fri), for ten days. ▶ 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 hosts Insightful Forums with Film Experts
The 29th Busan International Film Festival will host forums featuring leading industry players and global film experts. This year's forums will focus on practical topics designed to provide tangible support to filmmakers participating in the festival, rather than delving into policy or academic discussions. Industry experts worldwide will share insights into the latest advancements in film technology and discuss strategies for K-content growth. Young filmmakers attending the festival will have the opportunity to learn from these experts and network with industry peers. This event will foster a dynamic exchange of ideas among filmmakers, audiences, and industry professionals. The Global Film Production Studio Industry, VFX Production System Environment, and SOM City Studio The E&M/DMP STUDIOS will allow many filmmakers to share the experience and know-how of Hollywood production teams while discussing the current state of the VFX market, its future direction, and ways to promote it. Glenn S. Gainor, Head of Physical Production at Amazon Original Movies, will introduce the Hollywood film production system under <The Past, Present, and Future Hollywood Film Production Systems>. TJ Falls, Vice President of Visual Effects at Lucasfilm, will present innovations and possibilities in virtual production with a talk titled <Advancements in VFX Production Using Virtual Studios>. Additionally, Stephen Oh, CEO of XM2 GROUP, will discuss <Special Filming Techniques in Hollywood: Safety and Ethics>. This forum is an open event, allowing the general audience to participate. CJ Movie Forum: Navigating the New Paradigm At this year’s Busan International Film Festival, the CJ Movie Forum will showcase CJ’s content strategies and insights as a leader in the global content industry. It will also propose future growth strategies for the K-content ecosystem amid significant transformation in the content industry. Furthermore, the forum aims to explore the appeal of K-content that transcends borders, together with next-generation Korean directors, who represent the core competitive strength of K-content while seeking opportunities for international growth. Attendance is limited to pre-registered industry professionals and journalists. Creative Asia Forum Presented by Netflix & BIFF This year, Netflix partnered with the Busan International Film Festival to host the first Creative Asia Forum, bringing creative expertise from across the Asia-Pacific region. This forum is designed for up-and-coming film directors and video content creators. It will feature various sessions where regional creators from Asia and Netflix’s APAC content team will share their knowledge and experiences. Additionally, there will be a Q&A session where Netflix's top content leaders in the APAC region will provide insights. Attendance is limited to pre-registered industry professionals and journalists.
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2024 ACA & G.OTT Awards Announces the Hosts, Award Presenters, and Special Performances
The Asia Contents Awards & Global OTT Awards 2024 (ACA & G.OTT Awards 2024) has revealed the line-up of hosts and prominent guests. The ACA & G.OTT Awards 2024 has confirmed actors Kang Ki-young and Tiffany Young as the hosts for this year’s award ceremony. Kang Ki-young has shown a remarkable spectrum of acting in content including Extraordinary Attorney Woo (2022), recipient of the ACA Best Content Award in 2022. Recently, he held the main role in Queen of Divorce (2024), which entered the Top 10 chart in six Asian countries in only two weeks. Tiffany Young is steadily solidifying her career as a multitalented actor across various content, including the series Reborn Rich (2022) and the musical Chicago’s Korean run since 2023. She has been nominated for the Best Newcomer Actor (Female) category in the ACA & G.OTT Awards this year for her performance in Uncle Samsik. The main guest line-up includes eight talented actors who will be presenting awards this year. Actors Ryu Seung-ryong and Lee Jung Ha, whom each received the Best Lead Actor (Male) Award and Best Newcomer Actor (Male) Award in last year’s ACA & G.OTT Awards for their performance in MOVING (2023), will be presenting awards. Chen Yan-Fei—also known as Buffy Chen—who was awarded Rising Star of the Year in 2023, will also be joining as a presenter, alongside actor Zhou Dongyu, who holds a record as the youngest actor to receive the Best Actor Award in the three major Chinese film festivals, with significant works including SoulMate (2016) and Better Days (2019). Further presenters include actors Vivian Sung, who previously visited Busan in 2015 for Our Times (2015); Austin Lin, whose performance in I WeirDO (2020) and Marry My Dead Body (2022) gathered the attention of an international audience; Shenina Cinnamon, who has grown from an influencer to an indispensable figure in Indonesian cinema through roles in films and OTT content including Photocopier (2021) and 24 Hours With Gaspar (2023); and Yusuf Mahardika, up-and-coming Indonesian actor known for his role in Autobiography (2022). Special performances are prepared so that the audience can celebrate and enjoy the awards ceremony with global stars. Korean band Nerd Connection, whose powerful energy in their live performances has been well-recognized since their debut in 2018, and K-pop group TRI:BE, who has a global fanbase, will be performing, adding to the heat of the ACA & G.OTT Awards 2024. For the much anticipated People’s Choice Award, a new award category this year, a total count of around 600,000 votes have been made by a global audience, collected through Kinolights. The recipients have been confirmed as Kim Hyeyoon and Byeon Woo-seok of Lovely Runner. The Asia Contents & Global OTT Awards 2024, joined by an exciting guest line-up and decked with various audiovisual content for the audience to enjoy, will be happening on Oct 6 (Sun) at 18:00 KST at the BIFF Theater at Busan Cinema Center. Further details are available on the ACA & G.OTT official website (www.globalottawards.org/eng/) and social media channels. ▶ 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 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)
