ACFM Holds First Integrated Awards Ceremony Results Announced Across 17 Categories

The Asian Contents & Film Market (ACFM), the official market of the Busan International Film Festival (BIFF), held its first integrated ACFM Awards Ceremony on 13 October at Event Room A, Exhibition Center 2, BEXCO in Busan. The ceremony announced this year’s award recipients and support allocations.

ACFM introduced the integrated awards framework this year to bring together the market’s business achievements and outstanding projects. Across 17 categories spanning the Asian Cinema Fund (ACF), Busan Story Market (BSM), InnoAsia, Doc Square and Asian Project Market (APM), the framework provided approximately KRW 480 million in cash prizes, production and post-production support, and invitations to international industry events.

ACFM Director Ellen Y.D. Kim said, “Today’s awards recognize the promise of these projects and the stories they have yet to bring to life. ACFM’s awards do not end in Busan. They travel on to Jakarta, Manila, Oslo and Bangkok.”

She added, “To those whose names were not called today, I hope the conversations you had and the partners you met here will be your starting point tomorrow. To all our winners, we look forward to welcoming you back to Busan with your finished films and works.”

Bringing Projects to Life and Taking IP to Global Markets
ACF Co-Production Support Fund and BSM JAFF Market IP Connection Award

The ceremony also recognized the three international co-production projects involving Korea that were announced in August as recipients of the ACF Co-Production Support Fund. Director Fukada Koji’s Grateful will receive KRW 60 million, while director Jakrawal Nilthamrong’s Rhizome and director Boo Junfeng’s TRINITY will each receive KRW 40 million. Total support amounts to KRW 140 million.

The BSM JAFF Market IP Connection Award went to My Upstairs Neighbors from CLAYHOUSE INC. and Friend Request from RYOUNG STUDIO. Both titles will be officially invited to JAFF IP Connection at Indonesia’s Jogja-NETPAC Asian Film Festival.

My Upstairs Neighbors was recognized for its strong book sales and feel-good story, which give it the potential to reach global audiences. Friend Request has expanded its IP through webtoon distribution and was recognized for its strong fan base in Indonesia and RYOUNG STUDIO’s established presence in the country.

Technology Opens New Possibilities for Creators
InnoAsia MPS Award and AWS Award

InnoAsia recognized startups expected to lead change in the film and audiovisual content industry. The InnoAsia MPS Award, presented to the most promising startup based on votes from industry professionals attending the event, went to Taiwan-based imCore Corp.

The AWS Award went to Lumicraft Co., Ltd. and REPRODUCTION Inc. The award provides AWS cloud vouchers worth KRW 10 million to support technology validation and further commercialization. Lumicraft presented ‘CASTLINK’, an AI casting platform that connects actor discovery with contracting and settlement. REPRODUCTION introduced ‘PRE-FLOW’, which supports screenplay analysis and production data sharing.

From Artistic Merit to Social Change
IMPACT Asia Award and Newstapa Award

Stories Rooted in Personal Experience and Local Realities, 
with the Potential to Reach Global Audiences
Eight Projects Receive Awards Across 11 APM Categories; Goldfish Wins Three and A Chronicle of Minor Things (working title) Wins Two

APM received a record 604 submissions from 48 countries this year, with 30 projects from 17 countries participating as official selections. Eight projects received awards across 11 categories. In particular, Goldfish, a recipient of this year’s ACF Script Development Fund, was officially invited to APM and took part in Business Meetings. It went on to receive three awards at the ceremony.

The QCinema Special Award went to director Aditya Ahmad’s feature debut project Goldfish. Set in South Sulawesi, Indonesia, where the director grew up, the project follows a boy who runs away from his father. It was recognized for its promise as a debut feature by an emerging director. The Sørfond Award went to director Tribeny Rai’s A Chronicle of Minor Things (working title).

The Kongchak Studio Award also went to Goldfish, which stood out for its deep emotional sensibility and the director’s delicate connection between human emotions and natural elements. The Kantana Picture Award went to director Kim Jinyeong’s Red Hunger for its strong storytelling and visual potential. Director Panu Aree’s FĀTIMAH received the Kantana Virtual Production Award for its story spanning dual identities, long-buried family secrets, and a journey across both geographic and internal landscapes.

The CathayPlay Award went to director Yen Hao-hsuan’s Uncle, which draws on the director’s personal experience to explore family, shame and belonging in a rapidly changing Taiwan. The project was recognized for portraying a person with an intellectual disability as a fully realized human being with desires, contradictions and dignity.

Director Park Syeyoung’s Satellite of Love received the Songwon Award for its original story, strong visual vision, and ability to contain the complex dimensions of love within a simple narrative. Director E Del Mundo’s Once Upon a Time in the Philippines received the ArteKino International Award for its original analysis of structural violence and the individual’s capacity to resist it.

The VIPO Award also went to Goldfish. The project was recognized for its fresh exploration of identity against a changing environment and the production feasibility demonstrated by the close collaboration between its director and producer.

Director Reza Rahadian’s Casparina received the CJ ENM Award for transforming the director’s most personal story into a family drama with universal emotional resonance. The APM Busan Award went to A Chronicle of Minor Things (working title). The project stood out for its original story and narrative structure, and for the director’s ability to weave a social issue subtly into the story. Its distinctive landscape and themes were also recognized for their potential to appeal to international audiences. With this award, A Chronicle of Minor Things (working title) received two awards in total.

Four Days Spanning Projects, IP, Technology and Documentary
Business Meetings and Production Support Open Paths to New Markets

Over four days, ACFM connected achievements across project development and production support, original IP transactions, emerging-technology validation and the social impact of documentary within a single industry ecosystem. APM brought together 133 companies for 746 Business Meetings, while BSM brought together 136 companies for 520 Business Meetings. ACF supported 15 projects through four funds.

InnoAsia brought together 45 participating companies. Its 11 sessions and special screenings of short films recorded a total attendance of 1,180. Meanwhile, Doc Square recorded total attendance of 906 across 10 sessions, including three special screenings. The InnoAsia Startup Awards recognized three companies across two categories, while Cinema by Brand announced its three inaugural selections.

Asian Contents & Film Market 2026, held from 10 to 13 October, concluded its four-day official program with the ACFM 2026 Closing Reception at 20:00 on the final day.

JAFF Market IP Connection Award

InnoAsia Start-up Award

Doc Square Documentary WIP Showcase Award

*In Alphabetical Order

APM Award