Consecutive Resignations... Busan International Film Festival Faces Its Greatest Crisis

Resignation of Executive Chair and Now Chairman
Forced Co-Chair System Causes Trouble
Challenges in International Exchange, Film Selection, and Guest Invitation

The Busan International Film Festival is facing the risk of collapse just over five months before its opening. Following the executive committee chairman, the chairman of the board has also expressed his intention to resign.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the 15th, Lee Yong-gwan, chairman of the Busan International Film Festival board, announced that he would step down, taking responsibility for the resignation of executive committee chairman Heo Mun-young and the resulting backlash from the film industry. He plans to proceed with the resignation process once the situation is resolved.

The issue began with the establishment of the position of operations committee chairman and the introduction of a co-chair system. At an extraordinary general meeting on the 9th, Lee appointed his close associate, former Korea Film Council secretary-general Jo Jong-guk, to the position, prompting Heo to submit his resignation two days later.

Until now, the executive committee chairman of the Busan International Film Festival has overseen all film-related tasks such as festival planning, direction, and selection of invited films, as well as general administration and budgeting. Under the two-chair system, these roles are divided. Executive committee chairman Heo is responsible for festival planning, film selection, and discovering new directors, while operations committee chairman Jo handles corporate management, administration, and budgeting.

The festival organizers explained that there had been sufficient internal discussions beforehand. However, two days later, Heo informed those around him that he would work until the end of the month and then leave the festival, after which he cut off contact.

Lee Yong-kwan, Executive Chairman of the Busan International Film Festival (BIFF)

Upon hearing the news, film industry professionals are calling for the resignation of operations committee chairman Jo and the return of executive committee chairman Heo. The Korean Film Producers Association issued a statement on the 15th, saying, "Executive committee chairman Heo Mun-young is a person who has received positive evaluations both inside and outside the film industry," and "the majority of filmmakers believe he is the right person to lead the Busan International Film Festival for the foreseeable future."

The Busan Film Critics Association also expressed skepticism about the establishment of the operations committee chairman position and echoed similar sentiments. They stated, "The fact that operations committee chairman Jo Jong-guk is known as a member of the so-called 'Lee Yong-gwan line' is problematic," and demanded, "Chairman Lee must clearly explain why he appointed Jo Jong-guk and why he forced the appointment at a time when the festival is just over five months away." They further speculated, "If the executive committee chairman cannot be involved in administration and budgeting, it is clear that the operations committee chairman will effectively hold the real power of the festival."

Regarding this, Chairman Lee explained, "I have long believed that film and administration should be separated, like at the Toronto International Film Festival," and added, "I appointed Jo Jong-guk, whom I have known for 30 years, as operations committee chairman because he has administrative experience at the Korea Film Council and the Busan Film Commission." On his reason for resigning, he said, "I often felt that my abilities could not keep up with the rapidly changing film and video industry, especially with the digitalization trend such as OTT. I have been thinking that I should step down as chairman for the new future of the festival."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Chairman Lee did not propose any solutions to overcome the crisis caused by the consecutive resignations. He only mentioned long-term measures such as forming a chairman recommendation committee. Concerns are rising about whether the Busan International Film Festival, scheduled for October, can be held properly. Starting with the Cannes International Film Festival opening on the 16th, the absence of both the chairman and executive committee chairman will create gaps in international exchanges. The usual processes from this month, such as film selection, opening and closing film selection, and securing directors and actors, are also being hindered. Inside the organization, voices of criticism have emerged regarding contracts, personnel, and hiring of graduates from specific universities, creating an atmosphere of mutual distrust.

An official who has long been active at the Busan International Film Festival said, "The unclear decisions have only amplified previous suspicions," and added, "If a co-chair system was necessary from the start, it would have been appropriate to conduct sufficient discussions and proceed with an open recruitment." Another film festival official emphasized, "Efforts must be made to quickly resolve the situation not only within the film industry but also with the Busan city government," and stressed, "It is time to pay attention to boosting the morale of the internal staff whose spirits have fallen to the ground."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.