[BIFF Press Release] The 30th BIFF & Netflix Expands ‘Creative Asia’, Nurturing New Voices in Film!
2025. 09. 01 14:14
Press Release |2025.09.01.
The 30th BIFF & Netflix Expands ‘Creative Asia’,
Nurturing New Voices in Film!
Special encounters with global creators and emerging filmmakers, including Guillermo del Toro, Yeon Sangho, and Maggie Kang. Returning on an expanded scale following last year’s success, the program brings together both new and veteran creators from Korea and abroad to discuss the future of the creative ecosystem.
The Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) is bringing back Netflix ‘Creative Asia’ for its second year — bigger and bolder to celebrate BIFF’s 30th anniversary. Dedicated to emerging filmmakers, creatives, and production professionals, this expanded program will take place on September 20 (Sat) at Dongseo University-Kyungnam College of Information & Technology Centum Campus Convention Hall. Now in its second year, this year’s event features a three-part forum for press, industry leaders, and aspiring storytellers, offering an educational and immersive experience.
Creative Asia 2025 will bring together leading top talent from across the globe, providing a unique chance for rising filmmakers to learn directly from Netflix’s network of acclaimed creators. Starting with an APAC Production Panel, moderated by Sung Q Lee, Sr Director of Production (APAC ex India), the program shifts to a series of highly anticipated creator sessions, where master storytellers and world-class production experts will share their expertise. Highlights include:
Masters of Imagination: Guillermo del Toro & Yeon Sang-ho in Conversation Learn how to find inspiration and bring mythical creatures to life as Oscar-winning director Guillermo del Toro (Frankenstein) and acclaimed Korean filmmaker Yeon Sang-ho (Train to Busan, Hellbound, Revelations) share their creative processes with new filmmakers.
Behind the Scenes of KPop Demon Hunters with Maggie Kang Discover how to blend cultural heritage and global pop culture in animation as director Maggie Kang reveals the creative journey behind the global hit KPop Demon Hunters, and offers practical insights into developing and producing animated films.
Breaking the Mold of Period Filmmaking with Yui Miyamori Explore innovative approaches to production design for historical films with Yui Miyamori, who will guide attendees through her creative process in building the unique world of Last Samurai Standing and share tips on reimagining history for the screen.
Shifting the Lens: Directing Film vs. Series with Leste Chen Gain firsthand knowledge on the differences between directing for film and streaming series as renowned director Leste Chen (Eternal Summer, The Resurrected) discusses how to adapt storytelling, direction, and production techniques for different formats.
The day concludes with a deep dive training session on screenwriting and directing, co-hosted with the Korea Creative Content Agency (KOCCA) and led by Hollywood veterans Joe Peracchio and Michael Lehmann. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST) and KOCCA, in collaboration with Netflix, are running the ‘2025 KOCCA x Netflix Production Academy’ to foster talent in the OTT and content production industries. As part of this joint initiative, the session introduces global industry practices to aspiring Korean creatives, helping TV series producers better understand the fast-changing entertainment landscape while equipping creators with new skills in planning, writing, and more — taught from a global point of view.
The detailed schedule of this year’s Creative Asia program will be announced on the official Busan International Film Festival website (https://www.biff.kr/eng/) at a later date.
