BIFB’s Midwife Kim Dong-ho to Receive the ‘Korean Film Contribution Award’ on Oct. 6

'Midwife of Korean cinema,' stepping onto the world stage beyond Asia

Kim Dong-ho, the former chairman of the Busan International Film Festival, who helped carry a sweeping wave of Korean film’s global expansion, is again drawing international film-world attention. He will receive the 'Korean Film Contribution Award' at the 31st Busan International Film Festival, which opens on Oct. 6, with official recognition of his half-century of dedication to the development of Korean cinema.

The Busan International Film Festival secretariat said in an official announcement that this year’s recipient for the award category is former Chairman Kim Dong-ho, selected unanimously. The prize is the highest honor allowed to only the people who have made significant contributions to Korea’s cinematic leap in aesthetics and to the film industry’s globalization.

Beyond his background as a cultural and information ministry (now the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism) bureaucrat, he took up the post in 1996 as the inaugural executive director of the 'Busan International Film Festival', helping build the framework of what would become Asia’s top film festival. In particular, stories about him confronting a long-standing practice of prior review of screening titles in the early days of the festival—and safeguarding the 'freedom of expression' and 'independence'—remain well-known legends in the film world. He later served in the chairman role consecutively and helped elevate Busan into the ranks of world-class film cities.

His drive for film did not stay confined to the label of an administrator. He took the megaphone as director for the feature 'Mr. Kim, Go to the Movies' and proved his enduring artistic passion. In addition, his documentary capturing his intense filmmaking journey, 'Young Film, Dong-ho', earned an official invitation to the Cannes Classics section at the 77th 'Cannes International Film Festival'.

Former Chairman Kim Dong-ho said, "I’m infinitely honored to receive such a big award at the film festival where I worked side by side for 15 years since its founding, but at the same time, I feel sincerely sorry." He continued, "Even now, I’m still touring overseas film festivals every year to introduce the status of 'Korean cinema', and as long as my health allows, I will carry this calling through to the end." His footsteps, which do not stop, are themselves a living history of Korean film.