CHANEL X BIFF Asian Film Academy, the Busan International Film Festival’s educational program for emerging filmmakers in Asia, has completed its 18-day journey successfully.

The CHANEL X BIFF Asian Film Academy finished the 2022 official programme on October 13 with the premiere of two short films Under the Roof and This Must Be the Place, directed and produced by twenty graduating fellows of The CHANEL X BIFF Asian Film Academy.

The Asian Film Academy, which was put on hold for two years due to COVID-19, has returned in partnership with CHANEL to provide an innovative educational program that enhances and broadens the potential of aspiring Asian filmmakers. From September 27, the Academy, led by Dean Rithy Panh, Directing Mentor Tan Chui Mui and Cinematography Mentor Um Hye-jung, provided educational programmes for the twenty emerging filmmakers representing 14 Asian countries.

From world-class director Rithy Panh’s ‘Dean’s Masterclass’, which delivered the director’s rich filmmaking expertise and philosophy on films, to the ‘MPA-BAFA Film Workshop: Bridge to Hollywood’, which provided insight on the processes for on-site production and pitching strategies, as well as diverse workshops that encompassed all areas of film production, including directing, filming, production design, editing and sound, the fellows experienced in-depth curriculums that offer insight, expertise and training on all aspects of the on-site job experience.

[CHANEL X BIFF Asian Film Academy 2022 Graduation Ceremony]

CHANEL X BIFF Asian Film Academy introduced the fellows to AFA alums who have all graduated to become prominent figures in the global film industry and represent their countries in international film festivals.

The CHANEL X BIFF Asian Film Academy graduation event was held on October 13 and attended by BIFF Chairman Lee Yong-kwan; BIFF Festival Director Huh Moonyung; and Cinematography Mentor Um Hye-jung.

BIFF Chairman Lee Yong-kwan opened the ceremony with an inspiring speech followed by thanking the mentors and recognising the hard work of all the graduating fellows. Then, the CHANEL X BAFA Promising Filmmaker Award was presented to Suraj Paudel of Nepal and Parinee Buthrasri of Thailand. This award is designed to encourage promising filmmakers in complement of the CHANEL X BIFF Asian Film Academy. Each year, the academy faculty members select two fellows participating in the programs who have demonstrated remarkable promise. Each one will be granted an award of USD 5,000.

[Fellows Suraj PAUDEL from Nepal (Left) and Parinee BUTHRASRI from Thailand (Right)

who received CHANEL X BAFA Promising Filmmaker Awards at CHANEL X BIFF Asian Film Academy 2022 Graduation Ceremony]

[Fellows who received CHANEL X BAFA Promising Filmmaker Awards at

CHANEL X BIFF Asian Film Academy 2022 Graduation Ceremony]

The ceremony concluded with the premiere of two short films created by the fellows. Under the Roof follows the lives of three main characters as they struggle to make ends meet in a big city, and This Must Be the Place, a story set in Busan that portrays four amateur cinephiles and their filmmaking adventure. 

Both films, which overcome language and cultural barriers, showcase the potential of emerging Asian filmmakers who will lead the future of regional cinema. Similarly, the CHANEL X BIFF Asian Film Academy, constantly working to brighten the future of Asian cinema, will continue to develop and expand.

[Fellows filming short films during the CHANEL X BIFF Asian Film Academy 2022]