Special Event
Creative Asia 2026, Presented by BIFF & Netflix
Netflix, in partnership with the Busan International Film Festival (BIFF), is bringing Creative Asia back for a third consecutive year — its biggest edition yet, with programming developed alongside BIFF, the Asian Film Commissions Network (AFCNet) and the Motion Picture Association (MPA).
Creative Asia is Netflix’s flagship program dedicated to helping the region’s next generation of creators turn their ideas into stories for the screen. Taking place on October 10 at the Dongseo University Centum Campus, this year’s programming is designed and diversified to meet the needs of emerging creators.
Creative Asia is Netflix’s flagship program dedicated to helping the region’s next generation of creators turn their ideas into stories for the screen. Taking place on October 10 at the Dongseo University Centum Campus, this year’s programming is designed and diversified to meet the needs of emerging creators.
※ Inquiry : creative.asia@biff.kr
※ Special events are subject to change without previous notice.
Eligibility: Film Festival Badge Holders Only
- On-site waiting line operated on a first-come, first-served basis according to situation on the day of the event
- Please visit the on-site registration desk 30 minutes prior to the session start time for guidance
- ※ Please note that admission via the on-site waiting line depends on seat availability for the day and entry is not fully guaranteed.
Masterclasses
- Date Oct 10 (Sat)
- Venue Dongseo University Centum Campus
10:00 - 11:00 AM
Location and Storytelling
Choosing a filming location is not just about finding a backdrop — local identity, cultural context, and atmosphere can all become powerful creative assets. Moderated by Professor James Bang of Busan Asian Film School, this session brings distinct perspectives from Lauren Cooper (Location Managers Guild International), Reiko Kunieda (producer of Perfect Days), and Sung Q Lee (Sr. Director, APAC Production at Netflix).
12:30 - 1:30 PM
Han Jun-hee’s Notes: Making Unexpected Stories Resonate
Director Han Jun-hee (D.P. 1 & 2, Weak Hero Class 1 & 2, The Blue Road) has a gift for turning unexpected, even uncomfortable subjects into stories that capture the world’s attention. Drawing on examples from his work, he’ll unpack how he discovers a story’s raw material and shapes it into something compelling, pushing through doubt to bring each project to life.
2:30 - 3:45 PM
Cinematography of Possible Love: Quiet, Yet Deeper
Cinematographer Kim Ji-yong shares how he and director Lee Chang-dong shaped the visual world of Possible Love. Kim will walk through the concrete choices behind that process — from stripping away artificial light in favor of natural light, to the extensive preparation that went into it — illustrated with clips from the film.
Industry Panels
- Date Oct 10 (Sat)
- Venue Dongseo University Centum Campus
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
New Voices in Filmmaking: What’s Ahead
Moderated by BIFF programmer Jeong Jihye, the panelists include new and emerging voices in Korea’s filmmaking, Namkoong Sun (Love Untangled, Time to be Strong) and Wi Eun-kyoung and Son Gwang-min, co-directors of My Aunt (Grand Prize winner at Korea’s 2026 Mise-en-scène Short Film Festival). Together, this panel will explore the joys and challenges of directing small- to medium-budget films and why these still matter.
1:30 - 2:30 PM
AI in Filmmaking: New Tools, New Possibilities
Netflix and the MPA will co-host a panel exploring how AI is being adopted in filmmaking across APAC. Together, the panel will share firsthand experiences using AI across different corners of the industry, how they envision the way forward, and the essential role of human-first creativity. Moderated by film critic Youn Sung-eun, the panel brings together Sung Q Lee (Sr. Director, APAC Production at Netflix), Kimball Thurston (CTO at WETA FX) and Director Kang Yun-sung (Run to the West, The Outlaws).
Workshops
- Date Oct 10 (Sat)
- Venue Dongseo University Centum Campus
10:00 - 11:00 AM | 12:00 - 1:00 PM
Understanding the Buyer’s Perspective
Led by Keo Lee (Director, Creative Strategy at Netflix), this workshop pulls back the curtain on how the other side of the table thinks: what motivates greenlight decisions, how a show gets chosen for financing, and what kind of script or story stays in the imagination long after the pitch ends.
2:00 - 3:00 PM | 4:00 - 5:00 PM
The Art and Archetypes of Cinematic Storytelling
Led by Christopher Mack (Director, Content Acquisition at Netflix), this workshop for writers of all levels breaks down what makes a pilot compelling and the structural choices that keep audiences watching. Chris will unpack the archetypes that underpin great stories today, along with tips and tools to make the writing process more playful and rewarding.
