The InnoAsia section will also feature the “InnoAsia WIP (Work-in-Progress) Showcase,” which highlights 11 projects currently in various stages of production. Among the most anticipated entries are new works from acclaimed director Kang Yunsung and the powerhouse Climax Studio. Furthermore, the “Cinema by Brand” initiative will spotlight three unique collaborations between major commercial brands and filmmakers, selected through a competitive open call to demonstrate the growing synergy between advertising and narrative storytelling.
The wider ACFM 2026 lineup is organized into seven distinct sections: The A, Asian Project Market (APM), Busan Story Market (BSM), InnoAsia, Producer Hub, Doc Square, and Platform Busan. These sections will be spread across eight different venues throughout the four-day event, ensuring a high-density environment for networking and deal-making.
One of the most significant structural changes for the 2026 edition is the elevation of Thailand to the newly created role of Country of Honor. This designation reflects Thailand’s burgeoning influence as a regional powerhouse for genre cinema and high-quality production services. As part of this spotlight, Thailand will present five genre features in the “BSM Pitch & Match – Thai Remake IP” strand, a new category within the Busan Story Market specifically designed to facilitate the cross-border adaptation of successful stories. This is complemented by the “Thailand: The Next Chapter” initiative, which aims to forge direct links between Thai talent—including directors, writers, and actors—and international investors looking for the next breakout hit from Southeast Asia.
Meanwhile, Japan has been named the Focus Country for the Producer Hub section. In partnership with the Visual Industry Promotion Organization (Vipo), the market will host “Focusing on Japan: Pitch Showcase of 10 Selected Producers.” This program will allow ten of Japan’s most promising producers to present their upcoming slates to a global audience of financiers and distributors. The Producer Hub’s 12-program schedule will also delve into how the proliferation of streaming services and short-form platforms is forcing a radical rethink of traditional business models. Producers from South Korea, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, and other regions will participate in roundtable discussions to compare regional strategies, with a particular focus on a new Brazil-Korea co-production model. To facilitate these high-level connections, the ACFM has added a “Morning Networking” session to the daily schedule for the first time.
The business of cinema remains a cornerstone of the market, and “The A” section will focus heavily on the movement of capital and the mechanics of distribution. “The A Summit: AFAN Spotlight – The Dynamic Shifts and Shake-up for Film Distribution in Asia” will bring together key figures from the regional distribution sector to discuss the challenges posed by shifting theatrical windows and the dominance of digital platforms. Parallel to this, “The A Summit: Investor Summit & Connect” will examine emerging trends in co-production and the current state of film financing, providing a roadmap for how independent projects can secure funding in an increasingly competitive environment.
