BIFF appoints former film professor Park Kwang-su as new chairperson

BIFF held a general meeting at the Busan Cinema Center Thursday and appointed Park, a former professor of the School of Film, TV & Multimedia at the Korea National University of Arts.

A staff of the Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) is seen working at the gate of the Busan Cinema Center ahead of the 28th BIFF on Oct. 3, 2023. [NEWS1]

Busan International Film Festival (BIFF), the largest film festival in Asia, appointed Park Kwang-su as its new chairperson, the festival announced Thursday.

BIFF held a general meeting at the Busan Cinema Center Thursday and appointed Park, a former professor of the School of Film, TV & Multimedia at the Korea National University of Arts.

Park is a founding member of BIFF, having held the festival’s deputy director position for three consecutive years from its first edition and contributing to establishing the foundations of the BIFF organization. He also participated in the inauguration of the Asian Project Market and the Asian Contents & Film Market, and was the founding director of the Busan Film Commission.

Park was also active as a movie director, known for films regarded as part of the Korean New Wave school of cinema. He directed films such as “Chil-Su and Man-Su” (1988), “Black Republic” (1990) and “A Single Spark” (1995).

Director and former professor of the Korea National University of Arts Park Kwang-su, newly appointed chairperson of the Busan International Film Festival [BUSAN INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL]

Park’s four-year term will begin Friday, and he is eligible for an extension of one additional term. Open recruitment for other key positions within BIFF such as the festival director seat, board members and auditors is open until Feb. 13. BIFF will conduct an “objective and thorough screening of the candidates” for these positions and complete the selection at the next general meeting scheduled for March, according to the festival.

BIFF’s former chairperson Lee Yong-kwan resigned on June 26 last year, following a crisis at the festival earlier in May when former festival director Huh Moon-yung resigned suddenly over the appointment of managing director Cho Jong-kook. Cho had been appointed to manage the festival budget, personnel, and administrative processes, over which Huh was seen to raise objections due to Cho’s position being effectively in the same rank as his.

An accusation against Huh for alleged sexual abuse was also filed by a BIFF employee to the Center for Gender Equality in Korean Film in May, and the BIFF apologized for mishandling the case on June 15.

The vacancies left by Lee’s and Huh’s resignations were filled by program director Nam Dong-chul and deputy director Kang Seung-ah.

The 29th BIFF will be held from Oct. 2 to 11 this year in and around Busan Cinema Center.

BY LIM JEONG-WON [lim.jeongwon@joongang.co.kr]