[Photo courtesy of Chanel, 2025 CHANEL X BIFF Asian Film Academy faculty (from left) Director Kim Jee-woon, Director Mattie Do]

The CHANEL X BIFF Asian Film Academy, which nurtures talents to lead the future of Asian cinema, has confirmed its faculty for this year. Director Kim Jee-woon has been appointed as the dean, with Director Mattie Do and Cinematographer Park Jung-hoon taking on roles as directing mentor and cinematography mentor, respectively.

[Photo courtesy of Chanel, 2025 CHANEL X BIFF Asian Film Academy faculty Cinematographer Park Jung-hoon]

This year's dean is Director Kim Jee-woon, who is loved by filmmakers worldwide for his exceptional mise-en-scène and unique directing style. He emerged as a rising star with his debut film (1998), and gained international recognition with acclaimed works like (2000) and (2003), which transcended genre boundaries. Notably, he received invitations and acclaim at major international film festivals like Cannes and Toronto for (2005) and (2008). He further added to his accolades with (2010). His recent work (2023) was officially invited to the non-competitive section at Cannes, and he is currently producing his second U.S. feature film .

Director Mattie Do from Laos has been selected as the directing mentor. She gained international attention with her debut film (2013) and was recognized in talent development programs at prestigious festivals like Cannes and Berlin. Her second feature (2016) was Laos' first submission for the Best Foreign Language Film category at the 2018 Academy Awards, and her third feature (2019) was invited to the Venice and Busan International Film Festivals, winning the New Visions Award for Best Director at the 2019 Sitges International Fantastic Film Festival. She remains Laos' first and only female feature film director to date.
Cinematographer Park Jung-hoon, joining as the cinematography mentor, entered the field with the film (2002) and worked on auteur films such as (2012) and (2015). His commercial feature debut (2017) was officially invited to the non-competitive section at the 2017 Cannes Film Festival and earned him cinematography awards at the Buil Film Awards and Daejong Film Awards. He expanded his visual storytelling with works like (2017), (2018), (2019), and (2019). He served as a jury member for the CGK Cinematography Award at the Busan International Film Festival in 2020 and 2024, and is currently active in OTT series.

The 2025 CHANEL X BIFF Asian Film Academy received a total of 625 applications, the highest number since its inception in 2005, with applicants from a record 40 countries. Notably, there was a significant increase in applications and participants from female filmmakers, and interest from Pakistan and China was particularly prominent this year.

Under the guidance of esteemed contemporary faculty, the achievements of graduates from the Asian Film Academy continue to shine this year. Notably, Homebound (2024), edited by 2010 AFA graduate Nitin Baid, was officially invited to the Un Certain Regard section at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival. AFA graduates also made their mark at the Berlin International Film Festival. Little Rebels Cinema Club (2024) by Koji Rizal, a 2023 BAFA graduate, was officially invited to Generation Kplus, while Mes fantomes armeniens (2025) by 2007 AFA alumnus Tamara Stepanyan was selected for Forum Special. Additionally, Queerpanorama (2025), with sound design by 2015 graduate Cyrus Tang, was invited to Panorama, and Through Your Eyes (2025), with cinematography by 2019 graduate Lincoln Yeo and sound design by Seung Ye Min, was invited to the Short Film Competition.

The final participants selected for the 2025 CHANEL X BIFF Asian Film Academy will undergo a 20-day professional education and mentoring program from September 7 (Sun) to September 26 (Fri), producing short films. The eight films created will be officially screened at the 30th Busan International Film Festival.