Busan Asian Project Market Selects 30 Projects for 2026

Busan’s Asian Project Market (APM) has announced the selection of 30 feature film projects for its 2026 edition. This year's selection process saw a record-breaking number of submissions, marking the third consecutive year APM has achieved an all-time high in entries. A total of 604 projects were submitted from 48 countries worldwide. This represents a significant increase of 149 submissions compared to the previous year, when APM received 455 submissions from 44 countries. In 2025, the market had garnered 441 submissions from 44 countries, indicating a consistent upward trend in global interest and participation in the APM program. The Asian Project Market is a co-production market that connects filmmakers with potential co-producers, investors, and distributors, aiming to foster the development and international reach of Asian cinema.

The 30 selected projects will be presented at the market, which is a key component of the Busan International Film Festival (BIFF). BIFF, held annually in Busan, South Korea, is one of Asia's most prominent film festivals, attracting filmmakers, industry professionals, and cinephiles from around the globe. The APM specifically focuses on supporting emerging and established filmmakers from across Asia in bringing their feature film projects to fruition. The market provides a platform for networking, pitching, and securing essential partnerships for film production and distribution. The increased number of submissions underscores the growing importance of APM as a crucial launchpad for diverse and innovative cinematic voices from the region.

Busan's Asian Project Market has a history of supporting critically acclaimed and commercially successful films. By selecting 30 projects from a pool of 604, APM demonstrates a rigorous curation process aimed at identifying films with strong artistic merit and international market potential. The geographical diversity of the submissions, spanning 48 countries, highlights the broad appeal and reach of APM's initiative to champion Asian storytelling on a global scale. The market's continued growth in submissions suggests a robust pipeline of new cinematic content emerging from Asia, ready to be discovered by the international film community. The specific details regarding the genres or themes of the 30 selected projects for the 2026 edition are expected to be released closer to the event, providing further insight into the current landscape of Asian filmmaking.

The Asian Project Market is organized by the Busan Film Commission, an entity dedicated to promoting the film industry in Busan and South Korea. Its role extends beyond organizing APM, encompassing support for film production, talent development, and fostering international collaborations. The record submission numbers for APM 2026 reflect the success of these efforts and the increasing recognition of Busan as a vital hub for the Asian film industry. The market's commitment to nurturing new talent and facilitating co-productions is crucial for the sustained growth and diversification of cinema originating from the Asian continent. The 604 submissions represent a significant volume of creative output, from which only a select few are chosen, indicating a high level of competition and quality among the applications.