The Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) has announced the 14 projects selected for support through its 2025 Asian Cinema Fund (ACF), a key initiative designed to nurture emerging Asian voices and strengthen independent film production in the region.

This year’s open call drew a record-breaking 850 submissions, highlighting the growing interest and need for production support across Asia. 

Following a rigorous selection process, 14 projects were chosen across three categories: three projects for the Script Development Fund for Independent Feature Films, four for the Post-Production Fund for Independent Feature Films, and seven for the AND (Asian Network of Documentary) Fund for Feature Documentaries.

This year’s selected films are expected to showcase new possibilities in Asian cinema through diverse perspectives and sharp social awareness.

The Script Development Fund for Independent Feature Films includes: Black Star Angel by Armenian director Christine Haroutounian, Heaven Help Us! by Filipino director Eve Baswel, and New Life by Chinese director Li Yingtong.

Each will receive a 10 million KRW development grant and be officially invited to participate in the Asian Project Market, gaining access to international co-production and financing opportunities.

The four projects supported by the Post-Production Fund will receive post-production support and be presented as world premieres at this year’s Busan International Film Festival in September.

These include: Coming of Age by director Jeong Seung-o, If on a Winter's Night by Indian director Sanju Surendran, The Observer’s Journal by director Lim Junghwan, and The River that Holds Our Hands by director Chen Jianhang, a co-production between Hong Kong, China, and Vietnam.

The seven projects selected for the AND Fund will receive funding as well as invitations to the Asian Contents & Film Market.

The selected films are: Kampuchea by Cambodian-French director Neary Adeline Hay, Oma by Indonesian-Philippine-French-Dutch director Armin Septiexan, Our Complex by director Cho Hanna, Sea, Star, Woman by Korean-French director Yim Jeunghae, Sprouted Potato Lives on by director Yang Dayeon, Untitled (working title) by Myanmar director Min Min Hein, and Weathering Architect by director Kwon Sunhyeon.

All selected projects will be presented during the 20th edition of the Asian Contents & Film Market, taking place alongside the 30th Busan International Film Festival this September, offering visibility to producers, investors, and key industry players.

By Park Seong-je