We present the projects that were selected to participate in the Busan International Film Festival’s Asian Cinema Fund (ACF).

After two years, due to the COVID-19 oubreak, the Asian Cinema Fund (ACF) is back. Thirteen projects were selected from 521 submissions for three production support categories, the Script Development Fund, the Post-Production Fund, and the Asian Network of Documentary (AND) Fund.

The ACF aims to strengthen business ties and cooperation between selected films and industrial programs. As a part of this effort, the three Script Development Fund selections will be invited to the Asian Project Market (APM) from Oct. 9 (Sun) to Oct. 11 (Tues) and provided business meeting opportunities for investment and co-production.

The Script Development Fund which supports first or second feature-length independent film projects directed by Asian directors, received a total of 263 submissions, an increase of 80 films from 2019, recording the highest level of participation for this fund up to date.

Selected Projects
– In the Land of Brothers by Raha Amirfazli – France, Iran
– Life I Stole by Putri Purnama Sugua – Malaysia
– Smart City by Rohin Raveendran – India

The Post-Production Fund selected Korean projects and 1 Asian project from a total of 42 submissions.

Selected Projects:
– Birth by Yoo Jiyoung – South Korea
– Juhee From 5 to 7 (Working Title) by Jang Kunjae – South Korea
– Mariam by Arvind Pratap – India

For the feature-length indie film post-production, the DI work and DCP packaging will be sponsored (free of charge) by Algorithm Media Lab, Dexter Studios, and Digital Factory, while sound production will be supported by the three partners, Doluck, Wavelab STD, and Plus Gain, and subtitles will be done in partnership with KUMTLE. After finalizing the post-production work, the three selections will be shown at the upcoming 27th Busan International Film Festival in October as a world premiere.

The Asian Network of Documentary (AND) selected seven documentary films that showcase various social topics in their own perspectives using their own methods. In particular, the increase in films with gynocentric topics and female filmmakers has also caught the attention of the section juries.

Selected Projects:
– 1997 by Tae Junsik – South Korea
– Colors of White Rock by Khoroldorj Choijoovanchig – France, Mongolia
– Devi by Subina Shrestha – Nepal, UK, South Korea
– E.S.P. by Jung Jae-hoon – South Korea
– My Class by Kim Jeong-keun – South Korea
– Shark – A Story of Growing Old by Kyung Soon – South Korea
– Teens Across the Border by Chan Sze-Wei – Singapore, Philippines

We remind readers that the 27th Busan International Film Festival will take place from October 5 – 14, 2022, and the 17th Asian Contents & Film Market from October 8 – 11, 2022.

For more information please visit: https://acf.biff.kr/eng/