Asian Contents & Film Market
2026 official poster | |
| Formation | 2005 |
|---|---|
| Type | Film market |
| Location |
|
Parent organization | Busan International Film Festival |
| Website | ACFM |
The Asian Contents & Film Market (ACFM) is an entertainment trade show that runs alongside the Busan International Film Festival.[1][2] It brings together creators, investors, and buyers large from across Asia, but also from other regions of the world.[2] It is comparable to the Marché du Film in the Cannes Film Festival, with a focus on Asia.
It was previously known as the Asian Film Market, and is currently headed by Ellen Y.D. Kim.[1]
Format
[edit]The festival generally pulls together around 2,700 industry professionals for combination of sales market, exhibition booths, panels and networking session. Among the standard components of the market are:[2]
- Busan Story Market (BSM), a market showcasing original IP from Asian publishers
- the Asian Project Market (APM)
- Asian Cinema Fund (ACF), a funding initiative
- Producer Hub, a networking program, launched in 2024
- Platform Busan, panels for emerging film makers
Starting with the 2025 edition ACFM added[3]
- Doc Square, a program for documentary industry
- InnoAsia, a track exploring the role of AI and other technologies in content creation
- "The A" an industry report and summit about entertainment trends in Asia.
History
[edit]The market was first announced at a launch party during the Berlinale in February 2006, which the first market taking place eight months later in the Grand Hotel in Busan. The first market hosted 554 companies from 35 countries and 1,160 registered participants.[1] The second iteration took place at the Grand Hotel before moving to Seacloud Hotel by Haeundae Beach for three years. As of 2011, it moved to the Busan Exhibition and Convention Center (Bexco).[1]
2026
[edit]The 21st edition of the film market will run from October 10 to 13 at the Exhibition Center 2, of the Busan Exhibition and Convention Center, Busan. Japan is selected as the "Country of the Year – Producer Hub", as such ten Japanese producers will visit the market to introduce their country's projects and explore cooperation from producers of the various nations.[4]
On July 30, the Asian Project Market selected 30 projects representing 20 countries.[5]
On August 4, the Busan Story Market revealed 25 official selections for 2026.[6]
On August 20, ACFM launched the Country of Honour program in 2026 with Thailand joining as the inaugural Country of Honour.[citation needed]
References
[edit]- 1 2 3 4 "How Busan's ACFM is embracing innovation for 20th edition: "AI is now reshaping creativity"". Screen. Retrieved 20 September 2025.
- 1 2 3 Ramachandran, Naman (20 September 2025). "Busan Market Chief Eyes Tech-Driven Future for Asian Content Hub: 'Traditional Cinema Excellence Meets Cutting-Edge Innovation'". Variety. Retrieved 21 September 2025.
- ↑ Shackleton, Liz (19 September 2025). "Busan Market Chief Ellen YD Kim On ACFM New Programs, Working With AI, Regional Cooperation & Lessons From 'KPop Demon Hunters'". Deadline. Retrieved 24 September 2025.
- ↑ Lee Young-jae (13 August 2026). "부산국제영화제, '프로듀서 허브' 올해의 국가에 일본 선정" [Busan International Film Festival Selects Japan as Country of the Year for 'Producer Hub']. Yonhap News (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved 13 August 2026.
- ↑ Shackleton, Liz (30 July 2026). "Mouly Surya, Reza Rahadian & Prasanna Vithanage Among Filmmakers Selected For Busan's Asian Project Market". Deadline. Retrieved 13 August 2026.
- ↑ Naman Ramachandran (4 August 2026). "Hwang Bo-reum, Lee Geum-yi Among Authors in Busan Story Market's 2026 Selections". Variety. Retrieved 13 August 2026.