Busan International Film Festival Establishes Measures to Prevent Privatization: "Substantial Innovation Depends on Internal Staff"

Completed Innovation Committee Activities and Presented Reform Tasks
Introducing Operational Transparency and Rational Personnel System

The Busan International Film Festival is gearing up for a fresh start. The Innovation Committee, formed with the goals of internal organizational reform and setting future directions, concluded its five-month activity and presented reform tasks on the 10th.

The Innovation Committee reflected, "Over the past 28 years, the Busan International Film Festival has endured unwanted trials for several years, but there has been a lack of time for voluntary innovation. Operating for a long time mainly by founding members, its dynamism and creativity have declined, and its identity, known as the 'Asia Film Initiative (leadership),' has weakened." It added, "Cultural independence fluctuating according to political environments and structurally unstable financial conditions have also acted as factors threatening the festival."

The Innovation Committee set transparency in organizational management and the introduction of a rational personnel system as top priorities. It made extensive revisions to related articles of association and regulations. The most noticeable changes are the introduction of an open recruitment system and an executive recommendation committee system. These are expected to enhance objectivity and fairness in the election process of key executives, including the chairman and executive director. A framework was also established to ensure that women make up more than 30% and youth more than 10% of the board of directors and executive committee. Additionally, a labor representative was included as an ex officio director to encourage mutual cooperation and checks among executives.

To prevent privatization controversies that had arisen, the Innovation Committee also reduced the chairman’s authority. The executive director, whose authority has been strengthened, is required to consult with the chairman on major executive personnel matters. The Innovation Committee emphasized, "We have raised the conditions for appointment and dismissal of the chairman, executive director, and directors to the level of other public institutions to strengthen morality," but also stressed, "The responsibility to realize substantial innovation lies with the new chairman, executives, and internal staff of the festival."

The Innovation Committee was launched in July last year to reform internal conflicts that surfaced with the voluntary resignation of Executive Director Heo Mun-young in May and to establish the future direction of the festival. It consists of one Busan International Film Festival director, one representative from Busan Metropolitan City, two Busan filmmakers, two Seoul filmmakers, and one Busan civic organization member, laying the groundwork for a new start.