The Busan International Film Festival‘s Asian Cinema Fund (ACF) has selected three international co-productions for its 2026 Co-Production Support Fund, backing films from directors Fukada Koji, Jakrawal Nilthamrong and Boo Junfeng with a combined KRW140 million ($100,000) in production funding.
The three projects – “Grateful,” “Rhizome” and “Trinity” – were chosen from 15 submissions following a two-round process of materials review and interviews, the ACF said. The lineup marks a threefold jump from last year’s single recipient, and together the films span 13 countries, including Korea, across majority and minority production roles.
Fukada Koji directs “Grateful,” a Korea-Japan co-production in which Korea holds majority status and Japan participates as the minority partner. Song Dae-chan and Kameda Yuko produce. The project received KRW60 million ($42,900), the largest of the three grants, with the strength of the Korean production team’s track record cited as a deciding factor in its selection.
Jakrawal Nilthamrong directs “Rhizome,” produced with Thailand carrying majority status while Korea, France, Laos and Singapore hold minority roles. Chatchai Chaiyon, Samavee Pummuang, Kim Hyejin, Yohann Cornu, Mattie Do and Panuksmi Hardjowirogo produce. The film centers on the wartime history shared across Asia and received KRW40 million ($28,600).
