Busan Creators and Exchange Cities Finalized for UNESCO Creative City Residency Filmmaking Project

Final Selection of Busan Creators and Exchange Cities
Film Production in Cannes, France and Quezon, Philippines

The city of Busan (Mayor Park Hyungjun) announced on May 30 that the local directors and exchange cities participating in the '2025 UNESCO Creative City of Film Residency Filmmaking Project' have been finalized.

This project is hosted and organized by the Busan Independent Film Association, with co-hosting by the Busan UNESCO Creative City of Film at the Busan Cinema Center. It is a program that sends filmmakers from the Busan region to overseas UNESCO Creative Cities of Film, supporting them in producing short films on location.

This year, the exchange cities have been designated as Cannes, France, and Quezon, Philippines. From Busan, Director Kwon Yongjin and Director Lee Sio will be dispatched to each location, respectively.

Director Kwon Yongjin, currently studying in the Department of Arts and Cultural Film Studies at Busan National University, was selected as Creator of the Year for his feature film "A Wonderful Day in October" (2024). Having focused on self-reflexivity in cinema through works such as the short film "Offside!", he is set to continue his creative journey in the world-renowned film city of Cannes.

Director Lee Sio, who debuted in 2019 with the short film "Our Neighborhood," has consistently produced works, particularly in the Made in Busan competition section of the Busan Independent Film Festival. In Quezon, Philippines, he plans to complete a short narrative film, utilizing his experience with the production collective "Kantapia Film."

Since its inception in 2017, the Residency Filmmaking Project has supported the production of new works through exchanges between Busan and cities such as Galway (Ireland), Santos (Brazil), Rome (Italy), and Fukuoka (Japan).

In 2022, Director Lee Namyoung's "People Crossing the River" won the Jury Prize at the Busan Independent Film Festival, while in 2023, Director Park Chunhyun's "May and June" received the Grand Prize at the Daegu Short Film Festival. Director Jang Taegu expanded his short film "Spring Story" into the feature "What the Clouds Say," which was selected for distribution support by the Busan Film Commission.

The two new films produced this year will have their world premieres at the 9th Busan Intercity Film Festival, which will be held from August 29 to 31. The event is co-hosted by the Busan Cinema Center, the Busan National University Film Research Institute, and the Department of Arts and Cultural Film Studies.

A representative from the Busan Independent Film Association stated, "We will continue to create opportunities for local creators to showcase their talents and for their completed works to meet audiences."

Jo Yujang, Director of Culture at Busan City, commented, "The Residency Filmmaking Project serves as a stepping stone for Busan filmmakers to enter the global stage," adding, "We will continue to expand international exchanges."