Industry

The 31st Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) and the Asian Contents & Film Market (ACFM) have officially opened, with the Taiwan Creative Content Agency (TAICCA) advancing its international collaboration efforts. On October 12, TAICCA Chairperson Sue Wang and Billy Acumen (Jang Won-seok), CEO of B.A. Entertainment, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) aimed at strengthening Taiwan–Korea collaboration and expanding both markets’ presence in the global film and television industry. The signing was followed by Taiwan Night, a networking reception attended by more than 500 industry professionals and buyers from around the world. Guests included Kuo Chiu-wen, Deputy Representative at the Taipei Mission in Korea, and Park Kwang-su, Chairperson of the Busan International Film Festival, alongside representatives from major Korean entertainment companies, including CJ ENM and Barunson E&A, the production company behind Parasite. International organizations and industry players also attended, including the Marché du Film, the International Film Festival Rotterdam, the New York Asian Film Festival, Hong Kong’s Hong Kong–Asia Film Financing Forum (HAF), the Korean Film Council (KOFIC), Japan’s Toei Company and TBS, and Thailand’s GDH 559. The international participation highlighted the growing reach of Taiwan’s film and television industry.

TAICCA Chairperson Sue Wang emphasized the importance of international partnerships and resource integration in bringing Taiwanese content to global audiences. Under the MOU, both parties will pursue collaboration in talent development, financing and investment matchmaking, co-production, and international distribution, with the aim of bringing Taiwanese original stories to wider international markets. Billy Acumen, CEO of B.A. Entertainment, also expressed his appreciation for Taiwan’s creative talent and potential, highlighting the opportunity to combine the strengths of both markets to develop productions with global competitiveness.
Taiwan Night centered on three objectives: industry matchmaking, project promotion, and talent showcases. The event presented exclusive footage and trailers from Taiwanese productions and collaborative projects selected for this year’s BIFF and ACFM, showcasing the creative capabilities of Taiwan’s screen industries to international audiences. The event was supported by the Bureau of Audiovisual and Music Industry Development (BAMID), Ministry of Culture, Taiwan. A key moment of the evening was the surprise appearance of the team behind To be Ordinary, selected for this year’s BIFF main competition. Director Lee Yun-chan and cast members Yang I-Chan, Chang Shih-ying, and Hsieh Chan-jung joined the reception to meet international guests and industry representatives, attracting attention from international media and festival programmers.

The MOU brings together resources from Taiwan and Korea to support collaboration across the content value chain, from development and production to distribution. Korean partner B.A. Entertainment specializes in genre-driven storytelling and adaptations of real events. Its credits include The Roundup film franchise and The Gangster, the Cop, the Devil, as well as the series Big Bet and Revenant, reflecting its experience in development and production. In Taiwan, 1 Production Film Co. has established a track record in film and television development and investment, with local hits including GATAO: Like Father Like Son, Detention, and Monga, alongside extensive experience working with Korean partners. Money Entertainment Investment Co., which has more than 30 years of industry experience, has also maintained a strong presence in investment and intellectual property (IP) integration. Together, the partners aim to create new opportunities for cross-border development and production.