[News Culture] The Asian Contents & Film Market (ACFM) opens its 21st edition in Busan on October 10, bringing together film producers, distributors, investors and technology companies as the international screen industry grapples with reduced investment, changing distribution models and the growing use of artificial intelligence in production.
Held at BEXCO Exhibition Center 2 through October 13 alongside the 31st Busan International Film Festival, the market expects approximately 3,000 industry professionals from more than 1,200 companies across 58 countries. This year's edition introduces Thailand as its first Country of Honor, expands its investment and co-production initiatives, and strengthens programs covering intellectual property, documentary filmmaking and emerging screen technologies.
The sales market has registered 339 exhibitors, including four online booths, an increase of 17% from 2025. Alongside established project development and rights-trading platforms, ACFM is introducing new opportunities for investors and producers to discuss financing and international partnerships.
Thailand Named ACFM's First Country of Honor
Thailand becomes the inaugural Country of Honor under a new initiative designed to expand international co-production, investment and intellectual property partnerships.
A dedicated Thai pavilion will be established in the main sales market, while Busan Story Market will present five Thai feature films available for potential remake development. The industry session "Thailand: The Next Chapter" will introduce Thai original IP, emerging producers and opportunities for international co-production.
Thailand will also co-host the market's opening reception on October 10. The program brings Thai producers and content companies into direct contact with international buyers, investors and potential production partners, with a particular emphasis on remake rights and cross-border projects.
Japan Leads Producer Hub's Co-Production Program
Japan has been selected as Producer Hub's 2026 Focus Country, with 10 Japanese producers participating in project presentations, co-production discussions and business meetings.
The program includes sessions organized with Japan's Visual Industry Promotion Organization (VIPO), providing a forum for producers to discuss international partnerships and share experiences from previous co-productions. A new morning networking program will offer further opportunities for project discussions and professional exchanges.
Platform BUSAN will separately bring together approximately 120 emerging Asian filmmakers, while sessions involving European and American industry participants will address opportunities for collaboration beyond the region.
The initiatives form part of ACFM's efforts to connect producers at different career stages with financing, development and production partners.
The A Summit Adds Investment Forum to Industry Research Program
ACFM's industry initiative The A, introduced in 2025, returns with its research publication, The A Report, and conference program, The A Summit.
The first-half 2026 edition of The A Report covers the Asian screen industry's box office performance, policy and technology developments, and international co-production activity. The publication is available to registered market badge holders.
The A Summit, scheduled for October 11, includes the returning AFAN Spotlight, organized with the Asian Film Alliance Network. The session will examine changes in Asian film distribution and potential areas for regional cooperation.
A new program, The A Summit: Investor Summit & Connect, will focus on domestic and international investment trends, capital flows, potential co-production funds and strategic partnerships.
The addition of a dedicated investment forum gives The A a broader remit, combining market research and industry discussion with meetings focused on financing and production partnerships.
Asian Project Market and Busan Story Market Expand Business Opportunities
The Asian Project Market (APM) will present its officially selected projects through two showcase sessions on October 10. Participating filmmakers and producers will subsequently meet potential investors, co-production partners and distributors during the four-day event.
Busan Story Market (BSM) will host Pitch & Match sessions featuring Korean source IP and Thai properties with remake potential. Selected projects will be introduced to film and television industry representatives for discussions covering adaptation, production and rights acquisition.
The Asian Cinema Fund (ACF) has expanded its co-production support, awarding a combined KRW 140 million to three international projects.
The programs cover different stages of the production process, from identifying source material and developing projects to securing financing and negotiating distribution or adaptation rights.
The wider sales market will also include companies and organizations from countries including Thailand, the Czech Republic and Slovakia.
InnoAsia Examines AI Filmmaking, Microdramas and Branded Content
Generative AI and emerging production formats are among the main subjects at InnoAsia, ACFM's program connecting film professionals with technology companies, startups and digital content creators.
The program will present AI-based screen projects in development and examine how emerging technologies are being used in filmmaking. A conference co-hosted with Kling AI will address AI-generated video and its applications in creative production, alongside opportunities for collaboration between technology providers and filmmakers.
Other sessions will consider digital assets, intellectual property and copyright issues associated with AI-generated material.
InnoAsia will also examine the development and distribution of microdramas, a rapidly expanding short-form production category, including approaches to production and commercial distribution.
Cinema by Brand 2026, organized with INNOCEAN, will explore branded filmmaking and the relationship between audiovisual storytelling and commercial content.
The program places AI production, emerging formats and rights management within the same industry discussion, reflecting the range of technological and commercial questions facing content producers.
Doc Square Presents 16 Asian Projects and New Impact Initiative
Doc Square will showcase 16 Asian documentary projects currently in production, connecting filmmakers with festival representatives, funding organizations and distributors.
Two new awards have been introduced to provide additional support for projects in the later stages of production, including completion and distribution.
The program will also host Asia's first Impact Asia Impact Day, examining the social impact of documentary films through case studies from Korea, Japan and Taiwan.
Discussions will consider how documentaries have contributed to changes in public awareness and policy, as well as approaches to measuring their impact after release. A 260-page Impact Asia report will be presented during the event.
The initiative expands Doc Square's activities beyond production and distribution meetings to include documentary outreach and social impact strategies.
ACFM Consolidates Awards With KRW 490 Million in Prizes and Support
For the first time, ACFM will bring its various program awards together in a consolidated ceremony on October 13.
The ceremony will cover 18 categories across the Asian Cinema Fund, Asian Project Market, Busan Story Market, InnoAsia and Doc Square.
The combined value of cash prizes, production assistance and post-production services is approximately KRW 490 million, with support directed toward selected projects and participating companies.
The consolidated awards program accompanies a wider expansion of ACFM's industry activities, which now encompass project development, rights trading, international co-production, investment meetings, production technology and documentary distribution.
With Thailand's participation as Country of Honor, Japan's co-production focus and the introduction of a dedicated investor forum, this year's market is placing particular emphasis on connecting Asian film and content projects with international financing and production partners.
Reported by News Culture M.J._mj94070777@nc.press
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