The Busan International Film Festival has decided to postpone appointing a permanent festival director until after this year’s edition in October. Instead, Pak Dosin, a former senior programmer, has been appointed as co-deputy director alongside Kang Seung-ah, under the leadership of chairperson Park Kwang-su and ACFM director Ellen Y. D. Kim. This decision aims to allocate resources effectively and focus on organizing the 29th edition of the festival before selecting the next festival director.
Pak Dosin, who has held various positions within the festival, including head of the program department and senior programmer, will oversee film selection and planning for this year’s events. Kang Seung-ah will be responsible for corporate operations and budget management. The festival stated that the executive recommendation committee, which was established in December to elect new board members, did not find sufficient candidates and therefore dissolved. Despite many individuals participating in the recruitment process, finding suitable candidates for the festival’s new strategic direction has been challenging.
The festival’s statement did not mention Nam Dong-chul, a highly regarded programmer who headed the festival operations in an interim position last year. In 2023, the festival faced personnel crises which led to the resignations of chairman Lee Yong-kwan, festival director Huh Moon-young, and market chief Oh Seok-geun. The festival is currently focusing on organizing this year’s event under the leadership of the appointed co-deputy directors and the current chairperson and director, in order to ensure a successful 29th edition of the Busan International Film Festival.
The decision to postpone the appointment of a permanent festival director allows the festival to concentrate on effectively organizing this year’s event without the distraction of a leadership transition. Pak Dosin’s experience within the festival in various roles makes him a suitable choice to oversee film selection and planning, while Kang Seung-ah will handle corporate operations and budget management. Despite challenges in finding suitable candidates for the festival’s leadership roles, the festival remains committed to its aspirations for a new leap and strategic direction.
The festival’s statement reflects its commitment to ensuring the success of the upcoming edition of the Busan International Film Festival by focusing on current leadership and operational tasks. The dissolution of the executive recommendation committee due to a lack of suitable candidates highlights the challenges of finding individuals who align with the festival’s strategic direction. The absence of mention of Nam Dong-chul, who previously held an interim leadership position, indicates a shift towards new leadership structures within the festival.
Overall, the Busan International Film Festival’s decision to postpone the appointment of a permanent festival director demonstrates a strategic focus on organizational effectiveness and successful event planning for the upcoming edition. With the leadership of co-deputy directors Pak Dosin and Kang Seung-ah, alongside chairperson Park Kwang-su and ACFM director Ellen Y. D. Kim, the festival aims to ensure a smooth operation of the 29th edition before selecting the next festival director. Despite challenges in identifying suitable candidates, the festival remains committed to its aspirations for growth and a new strategic direction.
