Greetings

After the FLY2019 in Brunei, the ASEAN-ROK Film Leaders Incubator (FLY) program was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, it is scheduled to resume in 2023, coinciding with the declaration of the end of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Busan Film Commission has developed the "ASEAN-ROK Film Community Programme," which encompasses the addition of the "FLY Post-Production Workshop" and the "ASEAN Culture House Collaboration" projects to the existing FLY Short Filmmaking Workshop.

Given the growth and technological advancements of global streaming platforms, there exists a compelling need for a renewed understanding of the post-production process. Consequently, the "FLY Post-Production Workshop" has been meticulously designed to provide comprehensive education. It will commence with an introduction to the post-production process and delve into in-depth lectures on each area. The workshop aims to benefit producers, directors, post-production personnel, and aspiring professionals by imparting essential knowledge on workflows, scheduling, and management.

The ASEAN Culture House, established with the goal of fostering exchanges between Korea and ASEAN, has played a leading role in enhancing familiarity with ASEAN through consistent exhibitions, performances, and films. The "ASEAN Culture House Collaboration - Exhibition" aims to enrich the annual exhibition planning at the ASEAN Cultural Center by soliciting, producing, and screening exhibition videos of FLY alumni. As for the "ASEAN Culture House Collaboration - Screening," it will showcase short and feature films produced by FLY alumni after their participation in the FLY program. This initiative provides an opportunity to bring Korea and ASEAN closer through films and observe the growth of FLY alumni as filmmakers.

FLY2023 and the 2023 FLY Post-Production Workshop are scheduled to take place in Da Lat, Vietnam, a renowned filming location. Vietnam's film industry has experienced rapid growth and continues to hold significant potential. This year marks the 31st anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and Vietnam. The collaboration between the Busan Film Commission, the co-organizer of FLY2023, and the Vietnam Cinema Department, the co-hosting institution, is expected not only to further strengthen the enduring relationship between Korea and Vietnam but also to enhance human and cultural exchanges between Korea and ASEAN.

With the expansion of the content industry, there is an increasing demand in the market to discover new filmmaking talents. The ASEAN-ROK Film Leaders Incubator program, now in its 9th year, has nurtured 178 young filmmakers from eight countries since its inception in the Philippines in 2012 until Brunei in 2019. We anticipate that this collaborative journey, where Korean and ASEAN filmmakers come together, will serve as a stepping stone for young filmmakers from Korea and ASEAN who aspire to enter the global content market.

We express our deep gratitude to the ASEAN-Korea Cooperation Fund, the ASEAN Secretariat, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea, and the Busan Metropolitan City for their continuous approval, support, and assistance in the ASEAN-ROK Film Community Programme since 2012.

KANG Sungkyu

Director, Busan Film Commission
President, Asian Film Commission Network (AFCNet)