Business hub, conferences and the biggest sales platform for films in Asia: ACFM
by Luciana Dolabella
ACFM is a Market and Congress for professionals and companies from cinema, TV, streaming platforms. It takes place 3,5 days during Busan Film Festival to encourage hundreds of business models and conferences on very important current topics for the industry. ACFM has the largest number of company booths for buying and selling films outside Europe and the US. It also enables and foster business opportunities for hundreds of creators and companies, from script development selling films.
Figures of ACFM 2024
28 conferences
275 exhibitors from 30 countries
2.644 accredited professionals
47 books and IPs for films and series
Artificial intelligence in the focus 2024
Generative AI, Open AI and other AI tools have been a source of constant concern for film makers, storytellers, producers and distributors all over the world. The precision and speed for creating images and stories, the correctness on analyzing books and markets, the constant disruptions on all production chain from script writing to distribution, the number of companies and programs and the pace these technologies evolve have been causing apprehension of many. New director of ACFM since April 2024, Ellen Kim, embraces these tools of AI and tendencies. She mentions that on her four years directing AFCM she hopes to “expand conferences related to future technologies. AI companies are investing a lot in the film industry”. She talks about the importance of the market of sharing new information as an opportunity to keep pace with the ever and constantly disruptive reality in film business.
Beyond conferences, companies and professionals can participate in different sections of ACFM such as the Producers Hub, Platform Busan, Asian Project Market, Online Screenings, Asian Film Academy and the Asian Cinema Fund.
Fostering international cooperation and coproductions
There are different ways to participate with films and film projects during the ACFM. Beyond the activities that were mentioned previously and below an example of fostering of international cooperations was the step taken by PKG (Production Guild Korea – the Producers association of South Korea) represented by its president Lee Dong-ha. The organization signed the Memorandum to foster coproduction with Indonesia, Hong Kong and Brazil. With Brazil the Memorandum was signed with SICAV, the Union of producers, represented by in South Korea by its president, Leonardo Edde. Brazil was a country that had a special delegation coming to Seoul and Busan Film Festival to increase the businesses with South Korea.
What are ACFM, ACF, ACM and the other sections of ACFM?
Plattform Busan acts as a business hub where filmmakers and industry professionals from across Asia. This platform is designed to foster international co-productions and collaborations, giving creators a chance to pitch their ideas to potential investors, distributors, and partners. In 2024 a total of 28 countries participated with their projects.
The Busan Story Market is a unique feature at the ACFM, focused on scripts and storytelling. This market allows filmmakers to pitch their projects to producers, distributors, and financiers. In 2024, the Story Market had over 300 projects presented, showcasing also the growing demand for diverse and innovative narratives.
The Asian Cinema Fund (ACF) plays a crucial role in supporting emerging talent and financing projects in their early stages. By offering grants, it aids filmmakers with funding for production, post-production, and distribution. In 2024, the ACF awarded $500,000 to 13 works in 3 different kinds of funding.
The Producer’s Hub is a new initiative of the ACFM 2024. This program provides a space for conferences around international coproducing. More experienced producers and companies are here at focus. Beyond the conferences it provides opportunities of individual meetings and networking events.
The Asian Content Market brings together film, TV, and digital content markets. In 2024, over 250 buyers and more than 500 sellers worked in a vibrant marketplace.
The Asian Film Academy (AFA), a training program for young filmmakers. This year, it welcomed 35 participants from 16 different countries, providing them with hands-on experience, workshops, and networking opportunities. It is not part of the ACFM directly, but is also part of Busan Film Festival dedicated to future professionals.