The Hollywood Reporter
BUSAN, South Korea — Representatives from 11 film commissions from seven countries, along with numerous producers, directors and other film professionals, met here last week to discuss ways of increasing and improving intra-Asian film production as well as to hammer out the Busan Declaration.
It was the first meeting of the Asian Film Commission Network (AFCNet), and while no “road map to peace,” the Busan Declaration establishes AFCNet, dedicated to “developing the audiovisual industry in Asia” and to make “Asia the center of cinema in the 21st century” (HR 2/20).
Said Hollywood film location scout Bill Bowling: “There is no reason for the dominance of any one particular country or culture over this wonderful media of film.”
Pat Kaufman, president of the Association of Film Commissions International, said she hopes “cooperation between the AFCI and AFCNet will serve the needs of Asian markets.”
Deborah Gabinetti of the Bali Film Commission said, ” Asia is the fastest-growing consumer market in the world, and that means audience.”
Just before the conference opened, Korean filmmaker Je-gyu Kang announced he was donating 10 million won ($8,588) to the Pusan International Film Festival in recognition of how much the festival has helped Korean film and his career. The annual event is accompanied by the Asian Film Market, another attempt at growing intra-Asian connections.