Busan Film Festival to Honor Founder Kim Dong-ho With Korean Cinema Award

The Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) has announced it will honor its founder, Kim Dong-ho, with this year's Korean Cinema Award, a tribute to the man widely credited with turning the seaside festival into one of Asia's most influential cinema showcases. The 2026 edition of BIFF is scheduled to run from Oct. 6 to Oct. 15.

Kim launched the festival in 1996, when it was known as the Pusan International Film Festival, at a time when South Korea's film industry was still emerging on the global stage. Under his leadership as festival director for well over a decade, the event grew from a modest regional gathering into a must-attend stop for filmmakers, distributors and critics across Asia and beyond.

The Korean Cinema Award recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the growth and international visibility of Korean film. Festival organizers said Kim's honor reflects his sustained efforts to open doors for domestic directors and producers on the world stage, helping pave the way for the current wave of Korean films and series gaining global recognition.

Beyond building BIFF's infrastructure and programming, Kim is remembered within the industry for mentoring generations of filmmakers and forging partnerships with festivals and studios overseas, expanding networking opportunities for Korean cinema. His work is often cited as a key foundation for Korea's later breakthroughs in international markets.

The announcement adds a nostalgic, celebratory note to preparations for this year's festival, as organizers continue to build out the lineup and guest list ahead of the October dates. Further details on the award ceremony and this year's slate of films are expected to be released in the coming months.