Kim Dong-ho to receive Korean Cinema Award at Busan Film Festival

The Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) has announced that Kim Dong-ho, the festival's founder, will receive the Korean Cinema Award. The award will be presented during the festival's opening ceremony on October 6.

Kim established BIFF in 1996 and served as its director for the first 14 years. He is credited with establishing the festival's independence by refusing to submit programming to government censors during its early years, a move that helped transform the event into Asia's leading cinematic showcase.

Beyond his leadership at BIFF, Kim has held several prominent roles in South Korean culture, including serving as vice minister at the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, president of the Korean Film Council, and founding president of the Seoul Arts Center. He has also served on juries for major international festivals, including Cannes, Rotterdam, and Fukuoka.