The Busan Film Festival closed its 30th edition on Friday after ten days of screenings, awards, and industry events that reinforced its status as Asia’s premier cinematic gathering. Organizers celebrated record-breaking attendance and a successful transition into a competitive film festival.
This year’s event attracted 175,889 visitors, about 20,000 more than last year, underscoring growing public interest despite challenges in South Korea’s domestic film market. The festival screened 328 films, while 63,000 people participated in various programs across Busan.
The festival introduced the Busan Award, a new competitive section that marks a major step in its third decade. The Best Film Award went to Chinese director Zhang Lu’s “Gloaming in Luomu,” chosen unanimously by the jury. Zhang, who won a major prize at the festival two decades ago, expressed his enduring connection to the event during his acceptance speech.
The Busan Film Festival also showcased strong industrial momentum. The Asian Contents & Film Market (ACFM), held during the festival, set new records with 30,006 participants from 54 countries and 1,222 companies. ACFM Director Kim Young-deok emphasized the platform’s global reach, noting that 60 percent of attendees came from overseas. He said this global participation highlights ACFM as the most international content market in Asia.
Despite these achievements, organizers addressed funding concerns. The festival operated on a budget of approximately 13 billion won ($9.2 million). However, government funding now accounts for less than 4 percent of that total, compared to 20 percent in 2022.
Park Kwang-su, chair of the festival, stressed the need for stronger state support. He pointed out that other leading festivals in Europe receive more than half of their funding from government and local authorities. He urged public institutions to contribute more actively to sustain the Busan Film Festival as a global event.
In response, the festival has relied on external sponsors such as Chanel, Netflix, and Genesis to secure financial stability. Park highlighted the importance of long-term government support to maintain the festival’s international competitiveness and cultural influence.
Looking ahead, organizers aim to expand both artistic and industrial programs. They plan to attract more global filmmakers, industry leaders, and audiences, further enhancing Busan’s role as a cinematic hub. The 30th edition demonstrated resilience, growth, and ambition, setting a strong foundation for the festival’s future.
