A Time of Uncertainty: Charting Asia’s Coordinates

The 21st Asian Contents & Film Market Opens!

The Asian Contents & Film Market (ACFM), the official market of the Busan International Film Festival (BIFF), will be held from October 10 to 13 at Exhibition Center 2, BEXCO in Busan. This year, more than 1,200 companies from 58 countries and around 3,000 industry professionals are expected to participate. At a time when the global film and content industry is navigating an economic downturn and shrinking investment alongside the rise of generative AI and platform restructuring, ACFM is broadening the scope of its new initiatives while strengthening the professional depth of its existing programs and their links to business opportunities. With cinema at its origin, ACFM will chart new coordinates for Asia’s film and media industry along three axes - Connect, Strengthen, and Expand Cinema’s Domain.

Connecting Asia: A New Beginning

Strategic Cooperation Expands with Thailand, the Inaugural Country of Honor

ACFM introduces the Country of Honor for the first time this year, with Thailand taking center stage as the inaugural nation. A dedicated Thailand Pavilion will be established at the heart of the Sales Market, while Busan Story Market (BSM) will introduce five Thai feature films with strong remake potential. Thailand: The Next Chapter will spotlight Thailand’s original IP and emerging producers while exploring opportunities for international co-production. An Opening Reception co-hosted with Thailand will further expand connections between the two countries’ film and content industries. Building on this partnership, ACFM will strengthen the long-term foundation for industry collaboration with Thailand in co-production, investment, and IP business.

A Co-Production Network
Connecting Countries and Generations

Producer Hub has named Japan its 2026 Focus Country. Ten Japanese producers will pitch their projects, share co-production case studies, and take part in business meetings. Programs co-hosted with the Visual Industry Promotion Organization (VIPO) and the newly introduced Morning Networking will expand opportunities for producers to maintain an ongoing exchange of insights on production environments, support policies, and projects. Meanwhile, Platform BUSAN will support exchange and collaboration among around 120 emerging Asian filmmakers, strengthening the network of next-generation creators. Industry sessions connecting Asia with Europe and the Americas will further extend the reach of co-production and business collaboration beyond the region.

From Data to Discussion, and from Discussion to Execution
The A: A Knowledge and Collaboration Brand for Asia’s Screen Industry

Launched in 2025, ACFM’s strategic brand The A comprises The A Report, an industry analysis publication, and The A Summit, a conference. The First-Half 2026 issue of The A Report, covering overviews of Asia’s screen industries, box office performance, policy and technology trends, and international co-production information, has been published and is available exclusively to Market Badge holders. The A Summit: AFAN Spotlight returns this year to examine changes in Asia’s film distribution landscape and discuss ways to strengthen regional cooperation. Making its debut this year, The A Summit: Investor Summit & Connect will share domestic and international investment trends and capital flows while exploring the establishment of co-production funds and potential strategic partnerships. Together, these initiatives establish a practical framework connecting data accumulation with discussion and investment collaboration.

From IP to Projects, Investment and Deals
Strengthening ACFM’s Traditional Core

This year, 339 exhibitors have registered for the Sales Market, including four Online Booths - a 17% increase from last year. Companies and institutions from a wide range of countries and regions, including Thailand, Czech Republic & Slovakia, will participate. The Asian Project Market (APM) Official Selections will be presented at two showcases on October 10 and take part in business meetings with investment, co-production, and distribution professionals throughout the market. BSM Pitch & Match will introduce Korean original IP and Thai Remake IP. The Busan Story Market Official Selections will explore screen adaptation and rights deals through business meetings with domestic and international film and audiovisual industry professionals. The Asian Cinema Fund (ACF) has expanded the Co-Production Support Fund, providing a total of KRW 140 million to three international co-production projects. Together, these programs strengthen the framework through which ideas and original IP grow into projects and lead to production, investment, and trade.

AI, Brands and Emerging Formats
InnoAsia Expands Cinema’s Domain

InnoAsia presents new points of convergence between AI, new technologies, and storytelling, exploring an industry ecosystem in which cinema and technology co-evolve. Global tech companies, creators, and innovative startups will examine how generative AI is reshaping production, present AI-based audiovisual projects currently in production, and share examples of how technologies are being applied. A conference and networking reception co-hosted with Kling AI will examine AI video technology’s creative, production, and commercial applications, along with opportunities for industry collaboration. InnoAsia will also address industry and policy challenges surrounding digital assets, IP, and copyright, present production and distribution strategies for the rapidly growing microdrama sector, and introduce Cinema by Brand 2026, co-hosted by INNOCEAN. The discussion extends beyond applying technology to creative work to encompass new formats, revenue models, and a sustainable foundation for the industry.

Beyond Documentary Completion and Distribution
Doc Square Explores Social Practice

Doc Square will present 16 Asian documentary projects in production and connect them with film festivals, funding organizations, and distributors. This year, two new awards will support the completion and distribution of projects in the later stages of production. IMPACT ASIA IMPACT DAY, the first program of its kind in Asia, will examine the social impact that documentaries can generate after their screenings - including shifts in audience perceptions and changes in public policy - through cases from Korea, Japan, and Taiwan. It will also unveil a 260-page IMPACT ASIA report. Building on these findings, the program will explore distribution models suited to Asian markets and the potential of documentaries as a form of social practice.

From Project Discovery to Global Markets
Awards and Support Come Together at the ACFM Awards Ceremony

This year, ACFM will hold an integrated ACFM Awards Ceremony on October 13, bringing together awards and support initiatives from across its programs. The 18 award categories spanning ACF, APM, BSM, InnoAsia, and Doc Square will offer cash prizes and production and post-production support worth taKRW 490 million in total. This support will help outstanding projects and companies pursue follow-on production and market entry.

Asian Contents & Film Market 2026 will be held from October 10 to 13 at Exhibition Center 2, BEXCO in Busan. Film, audiovisual, and entertainment industry professionals wishing to attend may register on site for a Market Badge or Day Pass at the Badge Desk in Exhibition Center 2 during the event. Further information is available on the official ACFM website.