The Asian Contents & Film Market (ACFM), the official market of the Busan International Film Festival (BIFF), which has newly joined the A-list festivals, will open on tomorrow, 10 October, at Exhibition Center 2, BEXCO in Busan.

Now in its 21st edition, ACFM is expected to welcome more than 1,200 companies from 58 countries and around 3,000 industry professionals. Amid a global economic downturn, shrinking investment, the spread of generative AI, and platform restructuring, ACFM 2026 will focus on Connecting, Strengthening, and Expanding Cinema’s Domain. While reinforcing sales, projects, IP, and investment, the core pillars of a film market, ACFM will connect countries, industries, creators, capital, and technology to create a business platform where these connections lead to actual production, investment, and deals.

Thailand has been named the inaugural Country of Honor, opening new opportunities for collaboration centered on remake IP and international co-production. Producer Hub has named Japan its Focus Country, expanding networks among Asian producers. ACFM’s key programs are also gaining strength. The A examines industry data and key issues across Asia, Asian Project Market (APM) brings together 30 projects from 17 countries, and Busan Story Market (BSM) connects original IP with opportunities for screen adaptation and secondary rights. The Sales Market, where film and audiovisual content is traded, is expanding in scale as well.

New initiatives are also expanding cinema’s boundaries. InnoAsia will spotlight the changes generative AI is bringing to film production and new developments in the content business. At Doc Square, Asia’s first IMPACT ASIA IMPACT DAY will look beyond documentary production and distribution to examine the social impact that films can generate. Platform BUSAN 2026 is a network for mutual growth where emerging independent filmmakers across Asia share their production experiences and explore opportunities for solidarity and collaboration. This year, approximately 120 emerging Asian filmmakers will take part in practice-oriented lectures, including Pitch & Meet, and networking programs.

Asian Contents & Film Market 2026 will be held from 10 to 13 October, at Exhibition Center 2, BEXCO in Busan, with On-site registration available for the participants.