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2025 UNESCO Creative Cities Residency Film Project: Busan Filmmakers and Partner Cities Confirmed!

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Busan Metropolitan City (Mayor Park Heong-joon) has announced the final selection of participating directors and partner cities for the 2025 UNESCO Creative Cities Residency Film Project, which aims to foster international exchange and joint productions among UNESCO Creative Cities of Film and to promote the growth of local filmmakers.

This residency program is jointly organized by the Busan Independent Film Association (the Association), the Busan Cinema Center, and UNESCO Creative City of Film Busan. It supports promising local filmmakers by sending them abroad to collaborate and produce films in other UNESCO Creative Cities of Film.

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This Year’s Partner Cities and Selected Directors

For 2025, the selected partner cities are Cannes (France) and Quezon City (Philippines). Busan-based directors Kwon Yong-jin and Lee Si-o have been chosen to participate and produce their new short films in these cities, respectively.

• ●Director Kwon Yong-jin, currently studying Film and Visual Arts at Pusan National University, was selected as Busan’s representative for 2025 after receiving attention from judges for his feature film One Fine Day in October (2024). His previous short film Offside! explored cinematic self-reflection, and expectations are high for his upcoming work to be produced in the world-renowned film city of Cannes.

• ●Director Lee Si-o began his career in 2019 with the short film In Our Neighborhood and has consistently released new work through the “Made in Busan” competition section at the Busan Independent Film Festival. Drawing from his experience with the indie production collective “Cantapia Film,” he will produce a new narrative short film in Quezon City.

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Program Background and Achievements

Launched in 2017, the residency project has supported the production of new works by filmmakers from Busan and its partner cities, including Galway (Ireland), Santos (Brazil), Rome (Italy), and Fukuoka (Japan). These films have garnered attention for their originality and creativity.

• ●In 2022, People Crossing the River directed by Lee Nam-young won the Jury Prize at the 24th Busan Independent Film Festival.

• ●In 2023, May and June by Park Chun-hyun won the Grand Prize in the domestic competition section of the 25th Daegu Short Film Festival.

• ●Also in 2023, Spring Story by Jang Tae-goo was later expanded into the feature film What the Clouds Say, which was selected for distribution support by the Busan Film Commission in 2025.

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Upcoming Screenings

The two new films will have their world premiere at the 9th Busan Intercity Film Festival, held from August 29 to 31, 2025.

This year’s festival will be co-hosted by the Busan Cinema Center, UNESCO Creative City of Film Busan, and Pusan National University’s Film Research Institute and Department of Film and Visual Arts. The collaboration is expected to further strengthen partnerships among the Association and related institutions.

The Association stated:
“We will continue to provide platforms where local filmmakers can grow and create, and ensure that their completed works have opportunities to reach audiences in theaters.”

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Jo Yoo-jang, Director General of Busan’s Culture Bureau, commented:
“The UNESCO Creative Cities Residency Film Project serves as a vital platform to help Busan filmmakers showcase their talents internationally. We will continue expanding creative global exchanges in the future.”

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[Appendix] Overview of the 2025 Busan Film Production Residency

Period: April – September 2025
Location: Film partner cities abroad
Objectives:

• ●Support new works by talented Busan-based indie filmmakers

• ●Promote international exchange and professional development through residency experience

Residency	Director	Notable Work	Production Period	Premiere
In Cannes	Kwon Yong-jin	One Fine Day in October	April–August	9th Busan Intercity Film Festival (Aug 29–31)
In Quezon	Lee Si-o	New House, etc.	April–August	9th Busan Intercity Film Festival (Aug 29–31)

Participating Cities in the 9th Busan Intercity Film Festival:
Galway (Ireland), Gdynia (Poland), Yamagata (Japan), Santos (Brazil), and others.