Bringing Industry Insights and Producer Exchange Together
Producer Hub was launched in 2024 to facilitate information exchange and networking among producers from different countries pursuing international co-productions and financing. Participants share insights into film production environments and market trends in their respective countries and exchange information on investment, production, filming, and support programs.
Each year, Producer Hub selects a Focus Country and presents the country’s co-production projects and producers, along with an overview of its film and audiovisual industry. In particular, it brings participants into direct contact with leading co-production producers recommended to represent the Focus Country, thereby strengthening the foundation for international collaboration.
In its inaugural year, Korea was selected as the 2024 Focus Country, with the Korean Film Council (KOFIC) serving as a co-hosting organization. In 2025, Canada was selected as the Focus Country, with Telefilm Canada serving as a co-hosting organization. A total of 154 producers from 25 countries participated. The exchange with Canadian producers, comes at a timely moment alongside with the audiovisual coproduction treaty signed by Canada and the Republic of Korea in 2026, is expected to further strengthen cooperation between the two countries. The partner network has also expanded from 8 organizations across 7 countries in Producer Hub’s inaugural year to 13 organizations across 10 countries today.
From Project Pitching to Speed Meetings: Four Days of Programming
Producer Hub 2026 will run for four days from October 10 to 13, one day longer than last year. This year, 10 Japanese producers will participate and present their projects and Japan’s production environment, and co-production experience from a range of perspectives.
During the project pitching sessions, Japanese producers will present co-production projects currently in development. The case study sessions will feature cases of co-productions between Japan and other countries and provide information on Japan’s co-production environment. The program will also include speed meetings with the 10 Japanese producers and networking sessions for participants to connect.
With the program extended to four days, participants will have more time to engage with one another. In particular, follow-up meetings are being arranged with producers from Japan, this year’s Focus Country, so that conversations begun during the speed meetings can continue. These follow-up meetings are expected to move conversations beyond brief introductions and enable more active discussions of projects, production conditions, and ways to collaborate.
ACFM Director Ellen Y.D. Kim said, “Japan today is Asia’s most dynamic co-production partner. Building on its longstanding strength in independent and arthouse cinema, international collaboration is expanding on all fronts to encompass commercial films and series, backed by bold policies centered on grants and incentives,” adding, “Together with Japan, this year’s Focus Country, Producer Hub aims to serve as a platform offering producers across Asia tangible opportunities for collaboration.”
Building on its current network of 13 partner organizations across 10 countries, Producer Hub 2026 will expand its partnership network to include a broader range of organizations. Any producer interested in international co-production may apply to participate through the official ACFM website. Applications are open through August 31.
ACFM is the official market of the BIFF and is held in Busan every October. At its 20th edition in 2025, 1,222 companies and 3,024 industry professionals from 55 countries registered and total on-site attendance reached 30,006, marking the largest edition in ACFM’s history. The Sales Market recorded 8,438 Business Meetings, with an estimated transaction value of approximately USD 71.16 million.
The 2026 Asian Contents & Film Market will be held from October 10 to 13 at Exhibition Center 2, BEXCO in Busan.
