Busan Film Festival Founder Kim Dong-ho to Receive Korean Cinema Award

The Busan International Film Festival will honor its founder Kim Dong-ho with the Korean Cinema Award at the festival's opening ceremony on October 6. Kim, who established BIFF in 1996 and led it for 14 years, has had a long and distinguished career in film and government.

Kim's contributions to Korean cinema have been significant, and his refusal to submit BIFF's program to government censors for pre-screening helped establish the festival's independence and won the trust of filmmakers across the region. This stand helped turn BIFF into the leading cinema showcase in Asia, and the festival became the meeting ground and incubator for Korean directors who would go on to sweep the world in the early and mid-2000s.

Kim has had a diverse career, working as vice minister of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, and sitting on festival juries at Cannes, Rotterdam, and Fukuoka. He has also made his feature directorial debut with the documentary 'Mr. Kim Goes to the Cinema', showcasing his skills as a filmmaker.

The 31st BIFF will run from October 6-15 at the Busan Cinema Center and other venues, and Kim's award is a recognition of his tireless efforts to promote Korean cinema globally.

## Why it matters The Korean Cinema Award is given annually to figures who have advanced Korean cinema's standing in the world. Kim's contributions to the industry have been instrumental in shaping the global perception of Korean cinema, and his award is a testament to his dedication and hard work. The festival's independence, established by Kim's refusal to submit to government censors, has allowed it to become a platform for innovative and daring filmmaking, and has helped launch the careers of numerous Korean directors.

The award ceremony will take place at the festival's opening ceremony on October 6, and will be a celebration of Kim's achievements and contributions to the world of cinema.