International Film Business Academy, Busan Asian Film School

Call for Applications for 2025 Admission

Producing Track

Busan Asian Film School (AFiS) is recruiting fellows for the 2025 International Film Business Academy (IFBA).

The International Film Business Academy, a specialized educational program focusing on film producing, has been a regular annual course at Busan Asian Film School since it welcomed its very first fellows in 2017. Approximately 20 filmmakers with prior experience in filming throughout Asia will be selected. It offers a curriculum designed to foster producers, which includes the development of a feature-length project, along with lectures covering topics on investment, film policy, marketing and distribution, and more.

Feature films like ‘Rapture’ (2023), which received an invitation to the competition section of the 76th Locarno Film Festival, and ‘White Building’ (2021), selected for the 78th Venice Film Festival were developed through the IFBA programs. These tangible outcomes underscore the effectiveness of the Busan International Film School’s program in fostering producers for international co-productions as a representative institute from Asia. Moreover, ‘The Wrestler’ (2023), received the New Currents Award from Busan International Film Festival in 2023, and ‘Lori’ (2022), won the Special Mention Award in the Short Film Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival. The realm of Busan Asian Film School is worldwide. We aim for the future, together. AFiS is open for aspiring filmmakers throughout Asia. We are looking forward to having you in Busan!

1. Course Description and Number of Admitted Applicants

Course: International Film Business Academy (Producing)

Course length: 8 months from March to October, 2025 (2 semesters, Including a four-week vacation)

Admitted applicants: 20 (including 2 Busan residents under the Busan quota)

* Detailed course schedule, including start dates, will be announced later.

* The number of admitted applicants is subject to change depending on the pool of applicants.

2. Application & Selection Schedule

3. Qualifications

A. Must have U.N.-defined “Asian” nationality or Taiwanese Nationality

- Please refer to the list of nations eligible to apply for the International Film Business Academy 2025. <Appendix 1>

- Taiwanese nationals will be selected by AFiS in collaboration with TAICCA

- For Philippines nationals, a recommendation letter from the FDCP is recommended

B. There are no restrictions based on academic qualifications or age. Korean men must show proof of completion or exemption of mandatory military service.

C. Must be competent in English (all coursework will be conducted in English)

4. Benefits Provided to Admitted 2025 Fellows

A. Tuition fees covered by a full scholarship

※ Personal Financial Guarantee with Official Bank Statements upon the confirmation of the final successful applicants 

(around January or February) is required for the Application for Certificate of Visa Eligibility (Visa Issuance) process 

- Approximately USD 3,000 (Minimum)

※ An additional Personal Financial Guarantee with Korean Bank Account approximately of USD 2,000 - 3,000 

may also be required for Sojourn Extension Process during the second semester

B. A round-trip airfare provided to non-Korean fellows (details to be given later)

C. Dormitory room provided during the total period of education (including the vacation)

D. Medical Insurance (Limited coverage and National Health Insurance) to non-Korean

fellows during the total period of education (including the vacation)

※ Registered foreigners are also obliged to pay National Health Insurance after 6 months of arrival in Korea 

(approximately USD 100 per month), and AFiS will also cover the insurance (up to 2 months)

5. Application Information

A. Application Period

- Applications will be received from 9 AM on October 16, 2024 to 6 PM on November 13, 2024 (Korean time).

B. Details for Submission

- Fill out the online application on the AFiS Academy application page at academy.afis.ac. For the last step, attach required documents one by one.

- The online application will be visible during the application period.

C. Items to Be Submitted

Please refer to the Application Guide for 2025 Admission (attached).

6. Contact Information

Please forward any queries regarding curriculum, admissions, housing, etc. to contact.afis@gmail.com

<Appendix>

1. Application Guide for 2025 Admission

2. List of nations eligible to apply for the International Film Business Academy 2025

3. Form for Recommendation Letter