407 Applicants from 35 Countries, Marking the Highest Application Rate in AFA History

This year, Cambodian director Rithy PANH has been appointed as the Dean of the Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) Asian Film Academy (AFA). Rithy PANH is Asia's foremost film director and screenwriter. In 2013, he received the spotlight by winning the Un Certain Regard Prize for The Missing Picture at the Festival de Cannes. In the same year, he won the Asian Filmmaker of the Year Award at the Busan International Film Festival. Recently, he won the Silver Bear for Outstanding Artistic Contribution at the 72nd Berlin International Film Festival for Everything Will Be OK (2022).

Along with Director Rithy PANH, Director TAN Chui Mui and Director of Photography Um Hyejung will participate as mentors to lead the Asian Film Academy together. Director TAN Chui Mui, who participates as a directing mentor, won the New Currents Award and the FIPRESCI Award (Prize of the International Federation of Film Critics) at the 11th Busan International Film Festival and received the TIGER Award at the 36th Rotterdam International Film Festival for Love Conquers All. She also won the Jury Grand Prix of Golden Goblet Award at the 24th Shanghai International Film Festival for BARBARIAN INVASION. 

Meanwhile, Director of Photography Um Hyejung will participate as a shooting mentor. She is a graduate of the first AFA program and won the 18th Women's Film of the Year Award for Bluebeard (2017). Recently, she has been active in various works, including being the filming director of Extracurricular, the original Netflix series. 

Partnered with CHANEL, the 2022 Asian Film Academy will be held under the name ‘CHANEL X BIFF AFA 2022.’ This year, 407 applicants across 35 countries applied to participate in the CHANEL X BIFF AFA 2022, marking the highest application rate in AFA history. Especially, female filmmakers accounted for 67% of applicants. The final selected members will produce short films after completing professional training and mentoring for 18 days from September 27 to October 14. The completed work will be officially screened during the Busan International Film Festival.