Busan Film Festival Taps Kim Young-woo as Asian Cinema Programmer

SEOUL — Kim Young-woo has joined the Busan International Film Festival as programmer for the Asian Cinema section. Kim’s appointment signals a new direction for the South Korean event, which has in recent years been focused on introducing diverse works from neighboring countries.

Kim is filling in a position that has been vacant since Cho Young-jung left BIFF at the end of 2013. Cho had co-managed the Asian Cinema section, one of core features of the top South Korean film festival, with BIFF’s executive programmer Kim Ji-seok.

The newly appointed Kim will be in charge of selecting documentaries and short films from around Asia. BIFF, the largest film event in Asia, has been keen on introducing an eclectic variety of films from around the region, particularly emerging Asian cineastes. Last year it opened with a rare Bhutanese project by Buddhist monk-cum-filmmaker Khyentse Norbu, Vara: A Blessing, which BIFF has since stepped up to distribute in Korean theaters outside of the festival period.

Kim is a veteran of key thematic Korean film festivals including Chungmuro International Film Festival, Green Film Festival in Seoul and Seoul International Architecture Film Festival. He majored in visual arts and television at Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey.

Meanwhile, the 19th BIFF will open from Oct. 2-11, while the Asian Film Market will be held Oct. 5-8. The Asian Project Market is slated to take place Oct. 6-8, while the Asian Film Academy headed by Bela Tarr will run Sept. 25-Oct. 12.

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