Busan’s Industry Platform ACFM Puts Focus On AI, Co-Production & Streaming

Under new chief Ellen Y.D. Kim, Busan International Film Festival’s industry platform, the Asian Contents and Film Market (ACFM), is increasing its activities related to the new technologies impacting the content industry, as well as encouraging international co-production. 

The market is hosting a day-long conference (October 6) exploring the integration of AI into content production, with speakers from companies including Stability AI, Microsoft, iQiyi and Naver Webtoon. On October 7, a conference focused on streaming will include sessions analysing the business strategies of Asian’s regional OTT platforms and the evolving nature of OTT storytelling. 

“These sessions will focus on how platforms in Japan, Taiwan and Southeast Asia are carving out unique survival strategies amidst intense global competition,” says Kim. “Additionally, we will explore how the rise of OTT platforms has transformed storytelling approaches, particularly in series and short-form content, through specific case studies.”

BIFF has long faced up to the reality that physical film markets for trading completed films are becoming less essential, as sales activity shifts to online and year-round meetings, and global deals with streamers become the norm alongside territory-by-territory, all-rights deals. During the pandemic, ACFM smartly positioned itself as a platform to discover Asian IP, including manga, books and games, through its Busan Story Market, which year has expanded to also include French IP. 

While ACFM was previously overshadowed by Hong Kong’s Filmart, which takes place in a pre-Cannes slot in March, the market has hit its stride post-pandemic, while growing political repression has made Hong Kong a less attractive place to visit. 

ACFM organisers won’t comment on regional politics, but the market has confirmed that registration numbers for this year’s edition are trending higher than last year, with strong interest from most Asian territories. “Additionally, we’re witnessing growing engagement from North American and European markets, especially France and Italy,” says Kim. “Saudi Arabia will also have an expanded presence this year, reflecting the broader global attention