Announcement of Successful Applicants for 2019 International Film Business Academy 

We appreciate the high level of interest and support shown by many people around the world to the recruitment of new fellows for the 2019 International Film Business Academy. The International Film Business Academy is the main course at the Busan Asian Film School, which is devoted to nurturing film talents who will become future leaders in the film industry in Korea, Asia and the rest of the world.

In the fellow recruitment for 2019, we selected 20 successful applicants from 17 countries out of a total 136 candidates from 23 countries. The selection results are as follows.

- Commentary on Selection -

The Busan Asian Film School (AFiS) has completed its Fellow Recruitment for the 2019 International Film Business Academy, selecting 20 fellows from 17 countries out of a total number of 136 film talents from 23 countries. There are a number of producers with a professional career in their mid-thirties who are selected for 2019. There were a lot of excellent candidates who were not selected unfortunately, but we had to choose the limited number of finalists considering the candidates’ work experience, communication skill, and the diversity of nations.

Compared to the last 2 years where the candidates were mostly from South East Asia, this year’s application featured more candidates from Southern Asia and Western Asia. Also, young film talents from Hindu and Islamic cultures such as India, Pakistan, Nepal, Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Iran hoped international co-production in Asia and exchange with Korean film industry. In Bangladesh, there were many candidates who had excellent experience so that two successful Bangladeshi applicants were chosen for 2019 International Film Business Academy.

It is noteworthy that we have three finalists from China, Hong Kong and Taiwan. It is the first time since our school launched the International Film Business Academy. The number of Korean candidates was lower than in previous years. It seems that because the Korean film industry has a strong local market, Korean young filmmakers do not feel the need to study in the international environment. On the other hand, it is noteworthy that the two applicants who have been selected for this year are already talented applicants who studied film abroad and are developing projects in Southeast Asia and Europe.

In Southeast Asia, there were also applicants who have worked with well-known directors around the world for many years. They have already produced and released some commercial films, as well as producers of works which won at major international film festivals. As many applicants who have accumulated professional experience in Asian countries have been selected, it is expected that they will be able to plan and develop better quality projects in 2019 curriculum.