The Busan International Film Festival has announced the postponement of the appointment of a permanent festival director. The decision comes as the festival prepares for its upcoming edition in October, with a new leader potentially being appointed thereafter. In the interim, Pak Dosin, a former senior programmer, has been named as co-deputy director in a dual-leadership structure, alongside co-deputy director Kang Seung-ah. This year's festival will be overseen by chairperson Park Kwang-su, ACFM director Ellen Y. D. Kim, and the co-deputy directors Kang and Pak.
The festival's rationale for this decision is to streamline administrative processes and focus on organizing the 29th Busan International Film Festival effectively. Following this year's event, BIFF will proceed with the selection of its next festival director, allowing ample time to identify the most suitable candidate. Pak brings a wealth of experience to the role, having held various positions within the organization, including head of the program department and senior programmer. His responsibilities will include overseeing film selection and planning for the upcoming events, while Kang will focus on corporate operations and budget management.
The festival also shared insights into the establishment of the BIFF executive recommendation committee, which was tasked with forming a new executive committee and electing board members. However, despite multiple rounds of open recruitment, the committee faced challenges in identifying suitable candidates, leading to its dissolution. The statement released by the festival highlighted the difficulty in finding individuals who align with BIFF's vision for growth and strategic direction.
Notably absent from the festival's recent announcement was Nam Dong-chul, a highly regarded programmer who previously served in an interim capacity. The festival has undergone significant personnel changes in recent years, including the resignation of key figures such as chairman Lee Yong-kwan, festival director Huh Moon-young, and market chief Oh Seok-geun in mid-2023.
