[BIFF Press Release] Busan International Film Festival (54)_(2019.10.09)

Asian Film Market 2019 Final Report:

Successful Closing of the 14th Asian Film Market with the Great Attention

Successful Closing with Great Attention shown by a 22% Increase in Participants from Diverse Countries and Industries

On October 8th, the Asian Film Market 2019 successfully completed its 4-day journey. This year saw many increases; 2,188 professionals from 983 enterprises located in 56 countries participated and actively engaged in production, investment, acquisition, distribution and sales for film, broadcasting and original content rights. The number of enterprises participating in booths has increased by 17% from the previous year, to promote and sell a wider range of content and copyrights. Its record-breaking number of arranged meetings affirms growing attention towards 48 promising original IPs from Korea and Asia (Japan and Taiwan) presented through Book To Film, E-IP Pitching and Asian IP Showcase. In particular, Link of Cine-Asia led by the Busan Film Commission, and promotional booths from the Asian Film CommissionsNetwork (AFCNet) were set in BEXCO. Various pitching and technical seminars, including Story to Film organized by the Korean Creative Content Agency (KOCCA) and Comics & Film Pitching Show 2019 also added richness and color to the 14^th Asian Film Market. In addition, this year's newly established Asia Contents Awards raised interest in dramas, actors and writers representing 14 Asian countries who wish to expand business boundaries in the Asian Film Market.

More Korean Broadcasting companies newly joined, film sales companies outperformed, record-breaking participating of European Sales agencies

The Asian Film Market’s foremost mission for 2019 was to invite broadcasting companies and license purchasers to make broadcasting copyright deals through agreements with the Korea Broadcasting Channel Promotion Association. CJ ENM, JTBC, MBC+, and KBS N have newly joined the Asian Film Market 2019 with booths, recording over $2 million worth of involvement from Japan, Taiwan, and Southeast Asian countries. A total of 36 sales companies affiliated with the European Film Promotion (EFP) made vigorous attempts at business deals, the largest participation of European sales agency ever. Among many brilliant Korean titles, Man of Men, The Battle: Roar to Victory from ShowBox, KIM JI-YOUNG, BORN 1982 of LOTTE Entertainment, the closing film of the 24^th Busan International Film Festival Winter Moonlit from Finecut and Battle of Jangsari received special attention from buyers

Book To Film and E-IP Pitching Selections Closing the Deal

For its 5th edition, a total of 30 selections from Korean contents and 18 publications from Japan and Taiwan were introduced in the E-IP Market. The Event Room at BEXCO was filled with 600 industry professionals, from home and abroad involved in film, TV, OTT and 568 meetings were arranged during the 3-day, which can be translated into the most number of meetings for all years, proving the growing attention towards the sale of rights for original content.

A total of 3 original contents from 2019 selections are now closing contracts forfilm and TV adaptation. Freemasonry in Seoul by MACARON (KYOBO BOOK CENTER) has signed a contract with HELLO I AM NEWTOPIA for its film adaptation right, while The Girl Who Looks After the Dead by HANKYOREH PUBLISHING COMPANY made a deal with  COPUS KOREA for drama adaptation. It’s also been decided that Goldfish by TOYOU’S DREAM will be made into film under the co-production of the production houses Studio N and C-JeS Entertainment.

E-IP Award 10 Selections Awarded

As Showbox and Union Investment Partners newly joined the E-IP Market as corporate sponsors to the Book To Film and E-IP Pitching, 8 works were given honor of award in the 10 categories (a total of 70 million KRW cash prize) including long-time corporate sponsor Tory Comics Award. A Christmas with Jam by WISDOMHOUSE MEDIAGROUP INC. was awarded both the Showbox Choice Award and the Tory Comics Award. A Killer Lives Next Door by CABINET (ALL THAT STORY) won the Showbox Choice Award as well as the popularity based E-IP Audience Award that is decided by industry professionals involved in pitching.

The 1st Asia Contents Awards Held, All Seats Sold Out

The Asia Contents Award, held for its first time on October 6th at Sohyang Theater, Dongseo University transferred the heat of the red carpet to interest in award-winning Asian dramas, actors, and creators. Among the 17 dramas from 14 countries, The Hormones, The Series (Thailand) won the Best Asian Drama Award and New Comer Award. Faculty (Singapore) also won the Best Asian Drama and the Best Rising Star Award. Netflix-distributing The Naked Director (Japan) received the Best Actor and the New Comer Award. Mr. Sunshine (Korea) won the Best Creative Award, which is given in honor of a producer who has delivered the most notable achievement in the Asian region for that year.

2019 E-IP Awards Winners (Title / Company / Author/ IP)

Showbox Choice Award – (Book To Film) A Killer Lives Next Door / CABINET (ALL THAT STORY) / KIM Seonghui

Showbox Choice Award – (Book To Film) Mak-rye Park – I Can’t Go Just Yet / WISDOMHOUSE MEDIAGROUP INC. / PARK Mak-rye, KIM Yura

Showbox Choice Award – (E-IP Pitching, Webtoon) Designer / JAEDAM MEDIA / Hatchling

Showbox Choice Award – (E-IP Pitching, Webtoon) A Christmas with Jam / WISDOMHOUSE MEDIAGROUP INC. / Lucid

Tory Comics Award – (E-IP Pitching, Webtoon) The Flower Bloomed by the Cloud / DAEWON C.I. INC. / Bionwho

Tory Comics Award – (Book To Film) Press Jump to End the World / SAFEHOUSE / SHIM Neoul

Tory Comics Award – (E-IP Pitching, Webtoon) Mr. 2 / STORYCOMPANY / PARK Bum Soo (Story) & CHEON Jin Hui (Art)

Tory Comics Award – (E-IP Pitching, Webtoon) A Christmas with Jam / WISDOMHOUSE MEDIAGROUP INC. / Lucid

Union SuperIP Award – (E-IP Pitching, Webtoon) It’s Mine / YJ COMICS / Lucks

E-IP Audience Award – (Book To Film) A Killer Lives Next Door / CABINET (ALL THAT STORY) / KIM Seonghui

Asian Film Market 2019 Results in Numbers

Market Badge: 983 companies from 56 countries, 2,188 participants

Sales Booth: 200 companies from 34 countries, 86 sales booths

Market Screening: 37 companies from 11 countries, 62 films presented, 72 screenings (47 market premiers)

*Webtoon refers to a Korean web-comic

The 24th Busan International Film Festival will be held from Thursday, Oct 3 to Saturday, Oct 12

Asian Film Market 2019 will be held from October 5 to October 8, 2019

 ​