Busan becomes home for next generation of ASEAN filmmakers

Asian filmmakers taking part in the 2024 Film Leaders Incubator program shoot a short film in Busan. Courtesy of Busan Film Commission

This year’s Film Leaders Incubator (FLY) program, a key initiative to nurture aspiring filmmakers from across Asia, is officially underway in Busan.

The Busan Film Commission said Thursday that the two-week workshop runs from Friday to Sept. 17, hosted by Busan Metropolitan City and the Asian Film Commissions Network (AFCNet).

Now in its 11th year, the FLY program is a collaborative short-film production workshop that brings together young talents from Korea and 10 ASEAN nations.

The program aims to strengthen the foundation of the Asian film industry by providing hands-on experience and professional guidance. This year’s event marks a special milestone as it returns to Busan after completing a tour of all 10 ASEAN countries since its launch in 2012.

Two each from Korea and 10 ASEAN countries are joining the program. Over the past two months, they have worked online to complete their screenplays and are now in Busan to produce four short films.

“The workshop agenda includes in-depth lectures on directing, cinematography, music and editing, as well as a variety of sessions including film screenings and a visit to this year’s Busan International Film Festival,” the Busan Film Commission said.

The program features a lineup of prominent instructors. Directors Lee Jong-seok, known for his 2018 movie “The Negotiation,” Kim Sung-ho of “How to Steal a Dog” (2014), along with veteran cinematographers Lee Sun-young who took part in the 2021 movie “On the Line” and Kim Ji-hyun of “The House of Us” (2019) will lead the production and directing sessions.

To date, it has graduated 221 participants. The program has expanded to include a post-production workshop, FLY POST LAB, to address the growing needs of the global streaming industry, and it also collaborates with the KF ASEAN Culture House in Busan to support the creative work of its alumni.