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2026 CHANEL X BIFF Asian Film Academy

20-Day Filmmaking Journey Culminates in Eight Pilot Shorts, Charting the Next Step Toward Feature Filmmaking

As a joint initiative of CHANEL and BIFF to nurture the next generation of Asian filmmakers, the 2026 CHANEL X BIFF Asian Film Academy concluded its 20-day creative journey with a graduation ceremony and the world premiere screening of eight pilot shorts developed by its 24 fellows.

24 Fellows Take Their First Steps Toward the Future of

Asian Cinema

Participants pose for a group photo at the closing ceremony of the 2026 CHANEL X BIFF Asian Film Academy.

The 20-day program began with an opening ceremony on September 26, bringing together 24 fellows from 14 countries and regions. During the program, the fellows completed eight ‘pilot shorts’ developed as a starting point for feature-film projects. The films were screened for the first time at the graduation ceremony and screening held on October 14 at Cinema 2, Busan Cinema Center.

The event was attended by Park Kwang-su, Festival Chairperson of BIFF; Claus Henrik Vestergaard Oldager, CEO of CHANEL Korea; director Shin Su-won, Dean of the 2026 CHANEL X BIFF Asian Film Academy; directing mentor Yosep Anggi Noen; cinematography mentor Park Junghun; as well as other figures from the film industry and BAFA alumni, who gathered to mark the completion of the program.

(From left) CHANEL X BAFA Dean Shin Su-won, directing mentor Yosep Anggi Noen, and cinematography mentor Park Jung-hoon deliver their remarks.

The graduation ceremony began with congratulatory remarks from Park Kwang-su and Claus Henrik Vestergaard Oldager. Shin Su-won, Yosep Anggi Noen, and Park Junghun were presented with certificates of appreciation and bouquets in recognition of their dedication to mentoring the fellows throughout the program. Certificates of completion were then presented to all 24 fellows, who completed the program and produced eight pilot shorts.

Five Winners Selected with Support from CHANEL,

MPA and C-47 Post Studio

$10,000 in Prize Money, Global Programs and

Post-Production Support

CHANEL X BAFA Dean Shin Su-won and CHANEL Korea CEO Claus Henrik Vestergaard Oldager pose with the fellows who received the CHANEL X BAFA Promising Filmmaker Award.

(From left) CHANEL X BAFA Dean Shin Su-won, Lee Jong-heon, Lim Han Leong, and CHANEL Korea CEO Claus Henrik Vestergaard Oldager.

The awards ceremony followed, recognizing five fellows for their achievements throughout the program. This year’s ceremony was supported by CHANEL, the Motion Picture Association (MPA), Sony Korea, and C-47 Post Studio, with Sony Korea also providing filmmaking cameras and accessories in kind.

The CHANEL X BAFA Promising Filmmaker Award was presented to Lim Han Loong (Malaysia) and Lee Jong-heon (Korea) who demonstrated outstanding talent and achievements throughout the program. Each recipient received a $5,000 cash prize. As the first-place recipient of the MPA Award, Jang Sohyun (Korea) was selected to participate in the LA Film Immersion Course through the Bridge to Hollywood pitch, while Yuan Yuan (China), the second-place recipient, was given the opportunity to attend the Asia Pacific Screen Awards (APSA). The C-47 Post Studio Award, which recognizes a promising project in development for a filmmaker’s first feature film, was presented to Pham Hoang Minh Thy (Vietnam). The award provides post-production support, including digital intermediate (DI) color grading and Digital Cinema Package (DCP) mastering for theatrical exhibition.

Eight ‘Pilot Shorts’ Offer a Glimpse into Future Feature Films

The awards ceremony was followed by the world premiere screening of the eight pilot shorts created by the fellows. Chasuna follows a 13-year-old girl who experiences a subtle rift with her friend after a new pair of sneakers become the focus of their K-pop dance practice. Daughter of the Mountain God follows a brother and sister as they trace the truth hidden in their memories through their missing mother’s land and an old well. In Earth King, a couple sets out to find a legendary creature in an attempt to save their failing restaurant. Iris’ Heart begins when a deceased husband returns as his belongings are being sorted. Maybe Today, If Not Today, Maybe Tomorrow tells the warm story of a grandfather trying to hold on to a boy who is preparing to leave. PRIMAL follows a police officer who confronts a hidden family secret after a series of mysterious animal attacks. Beautiful Dreamers moves between reality and fantasy as money and emotions become distorted in a world of addiction. In Artemis, dancing through the darkness leads to the dawn and opens the way to another world. Together, the eight films offered a glimpse of the fellows’ diverse perspectives and creative potential as they take their first steps toward developing feature-length projects.

BAFA Alumni Returns to Busan

Continuing Their Journeys Across the Global Film Industry

Since its launch in 2005, BAFA has grown into a film education platform dedicated to discovering and nurturing emerging filmmakers from across Asia.

Through its partnership with CHANEL, established in 2022, the program has continued to expand its educational opportunities and international network. This year, numerous films featured in the official selection of BIFF include BAFA alumni among their key creative teams, working across directing, producing, cinematography, editing, sound and other areas of production.

Among them are The Sea Speaks His Name, directed by 2007 graduate and this year’s directing mentor Yosep Anggi Noen; The Four Seasons of Java, produced by 2006 graduate Ifa Isfansyah and premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival; Elephants in the Fog, directed by 2008 graduate Abinash Bikram Shah and winner of the Un Certain Regard Jury Prize from Cannes in 2026; and The Burning Giants, directed by 2014 graduate Phuttiphong Aroonpheng and selected for the Orizzonti Competition from Venice. A total of 13 films featuring BAFA alumni in key creative roles were screened at this year’s Busan International Film Festival.

Now in its 20th edition, the CHANEL X BIFF Asian Film Academy will continue to provide a platform for emerging Asian filmmakers to develop new projects and connect with peers and professionals from across the global film industry.