🐉 Asian Contents & Film Market Unveils Its 2026 Program
The Asian Contents & Film Market (ACFM)—the industry arm of the Busan International Film Festival—has finalized its business lineup for 2026. This year, the market places a major focus on the widespread adoption of generative AI and ultra-short-form video content.
Spanning eight venues, the market’s program encompasses seven core sections: The A, Asian Project Market (APM), Busan Story Market (BSM), InnoAsia, Producer Hub, Doc Square, and Platform Busan.
The flagship InnoAsia section will feature 11 special projects spotlighting generative AI and new media. In partnership with the neural network Kling AI, the event will host a session titled “New Cinematic Possibilities: Reimagining Filmmaking with Kling AI,” accompanied by a specialized networking reception. The lineup also includes InnoAsia Cinematic AI, the InnoAsia AI Creators Camp, and technology presentations by Eyeline Studios.
Another highlight is the growing trend of vertical micro-dramas and their transmedia potential. InnoAsia sessions will explore the evolution of the format in China and beyond, alongside case studies on adapting viral micro-dramas into feature films for theatrical release.
Thailand, making its debut as the Country of Honor, will present five genre projects in the new Remake IP category within the Busan Story Market, while launching the “Thailand: The Next Chapter” initiative to drive international distribution.
Japan will take center stage as the focus country for the Producer Hub, where 10 Japanese producers, in collaboration with VIPO (Visual Industry Promotion Organization), will pitch their upcoming projects.
The A section will focus on finance and distribution. During The A Summit, industry experts will discuss the evolving Asian theatrical market and emerging co-financing models.
Doc Square will offer 10 sessions dedicated to non-fiction filmmaking. The centerpiece event on October 12, Asian Impact Day, will showcase releases from Korea, Taiwan, and Japan to assess the social footprint of documentary cinema.
The market aims to build on last year’s impressive figures. In 2025, the landmark 20th edition of ACFM drew a record 30,000 visitors, bringing together 1,222 companies and over 3,000 professionals from 55 countries. Business transactions reached an estimated $71.1 million across 8,400 formal meetings.
The 21st ACFM will run from October 10 to 13 during the 31st Busan International Film Festival (October 6–15).
Source: Variety
