Asian Film Academy (AFA) was established in 2005 to discover emerging filmmakers of Asia and to build networks for Asian filmmakers. From 2005 to 2019, 363 alumni from 32 countries have been standing out in filmmaking field all over the Asia and in the prestigious festivals throughout the world.
In previous years, world renowned directors of our contemporaries, such as Hou Hsiao-hsien, Im Kwon-taek, Mohsen Makhmalbaf, Abbas Kiarostami, Jia Zhangke, Lee Chang-dong, Béla Tarr, Kore-eda Hirokazu, Tsai Ming Liang, and Kurosawa Kiyoshi took on the role of AFA dean and shared their great film experiences with AFA fellows.

AFA that couldn’t be held due to the pandemic in 2020 and 2021 now resumes its programs partnered with Chanel with new name, CHANEL X BIFF Asian Film Academy to continue fostering the talented newcomers in Asia. Once again CHANEL X BIFF Asian Film Academy will seek to be the most enterprising and essential film education program in Asia.