10 October 2023, Busan-The 28th Busan International Film Festival was held recently from 04 to 13 October 2023. BIFF is now the most-attended international film festival event in Asia.

The Philippine Embassy in Korea hosted a "Philippine Appreciation and Networking Night" in honor of the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) led by Chairperson & CEO Tirso Cruz III with guests from the Philippine and Korean film, creative content, cultural, and academic sectors.

The FDCP, along with other Philippine creatives, participated in the BIFF and the Asian Contents & Film Market (ACFM) during the more than week-long festival.

Ambassador Dizon-De Vega congratulated the FDCP Delegation and Filipino creatives for representing Philippine cinema at this years' BIFF. She likewise updated the audience on the recently signed Philippines-Korea Free Trade Agreement as it stands to benefit the local film industry with provisions on potential cooperation in the film and creative industries.

For his part, Chairperson Cruz expressed his gratitude for the continued support of Philippine Cinema by the Philippine Embassy and the Korean creative and film industry.

Among the special guests at the reception were Korea Film Council Chairperson Mr. Park Ki-young, BIFF & ACFM General Manager for Public Relations Mr. Daniel Kim, Busan Film Commission Director & CEO Mr. Kang Sung Kyu, NEWONE Cinema (producer and distributor) Mr. Sony Won, Film and TV Actor Hoseung Jung, ASEAN Culture House Director General Mr. In-Hyuck Lee, Prof. Jeoffrey Calimag, and Busan University of Foreign Studies Korea Institute for ASEAN Studies Director Dr. Dong-yeob Kim.

Philippine participation at this year's BIFF include: Essential Truths of the Lake (BIFF Film Icon Selection) produced by Ms. Bianca Balbuena and Directed by Lav Diaz; Filipinana (Asian Project Market Selection), Director Rafael Manuel; Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho (Asian Contents Awards nominees-Best Reality & Variety) produced by Lee Joseph M. Castel and Bryan Kristoffer J. Brazil; Moro (BIFF-Jiseok Award Selection), Directed by Brillante Mendoza; Daughters of the Sea (Asian Project Market Selection) Martika Escobar; Xixi by Wu Fan (Asian Cinema Fund Selection) Venice Atienza; and Arjo Atayde (Best Actor nominee Asian Contents Awards).

The film "Filipinana" directed by Rafael Manuel and produced by Jeremy Chua won 3 awards at the 2023 Asian Project Market (APM).

The Philippine Embassy's Cultural Officer Anthony Z. Cornista was also present at the reception. END