With new chairman, Busan Film Fest pushes on in fight for autonomy

The leaders of the Busan International Film Festival, Asia’s largest film festival which has been mired in a turbulent battle for autonomy over the past two years, said they will strive to officially secure the festival’s full independence before its 21st installment set for this October.

Kim Dong-ho, who was appointed BIFF’s chairman on May 24 after former chairman and Busan Mayor Suh Byung-soo stepped down, expressed a firm resolve to make the festival into one that is “operated by filmmakers,” not government officials. Kim was one of the founding members of the festival over 20 years ago and served as its director until 2010.

Speaking at a press conference Thursday in Seoul, Kim stated that he will make it his duty to amend BIFF’s current bylaws before July at the latest to ensure the festival’s autonomy.

“I am optimistic about this being possible,” he said.

The amendment, as envisioned now, would allow filmmakers to have more say in the festival’s operations, a BIFF official told The Korea Herald. Under current bylaws, members of Busan Metropolitan Government and other local organizations largely sway the festival’s decision-making process, the official said.

Kim’s determination to amend the bylaws as soon as possible is propelled, in part, by the need to get on board the group of Korean directors who, in April, declared a boycott of the festival unless the Busan city government guarantees festival autonomy and artistic freedom.

“I have held meetings with (the group of filmmakers) ... and in order for them to rescind the boycott ... we need to give them a legitimate reason (to believe in BIFF’s autonomy),” said Kim.

There are concerns that if the boycott does not stop, BIFF will have only foreign films, and no Korean films, to screen this year.

Actress Kang Soo-yeon, BIFF’s executive director, however, was firm in saying that it would not come to that. “We cannot turn BIFF, which was made by Korean filmmakers and audiences, into a festival with no nationality.”

“Though we’re short of time to prepare, and though some events may inevitably be cut, we will not compromise on the programming,” said Kang.

Kang emphasized that BIFF will take all means necessary to kick off the festival slated for Oct. 6-15. “We cannot protect BIFF if it does not take place,” she said. “If it does not take place this year, there’s no guaranteeing it will take place next year.”

BIFF has been mired in a power struggle with the Busan Metropolitan Government since it screened a controversial documentary in 2014 against the city government’s wishes.

Since then, BIFF and its supporters have been protesting the authorities’ interference in the festival operations and violation of artistic freedom.

Busan Metropolitan Government in May filed charges against former BIFF executive director Lee Yong-kwan and three other former and current BIFF officials for misuse of festival funds. The trial has been ongoing since June 1.

Last month, an extraordinary meeting was held by BIFF organizers to amend the current bylaws that stipulate that the position of BIFF chairman be automatically assumed by the Busan mayor. Following the amendment, the BIFF chairman can now be appointed by the festival organizers. The amendment was approved by the Culture Ministry on June 2, BIFF officials said.

By Rumy Doo (doo@heraldcorp.com)