In October, Busan, South Korea’s second-largest city, once again became a meeting point for the global film industry. The city hosted the Asian Contents & Film Market (ACFM), an international platform bringing together producers, directors, distributors, and other professionals shaping contemporary cinema.
For the third time, an Azerbaijani delegation took part in ACFM with the support of the Cinema Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan, which operates under the Ministry of Culture. As the delegation’s official media partner, N13 Magazine had the opportunity to participate in the international dialogue and present the latest developments in Azerbaijani cinema.
TEXT & PHOTO GULNARA ISMAILOVA
Following N13 Magazine’s participation in the Cannes Film Festival, the trip to Busan offered us another chance to see the global film industry from the inside. Each event of this kind is fascinating in its own way: an opportunity to discover new projects, exchange experiences, and better understand what is happening in the film industries of different countries.
During ACFM, we had the pleasure of meeting and speakingwith film industry professionals from South Korea, China, Japan, Canada, France, and other countries. One particularly memorable part of the trip was attending a series of evenings dedicated to Thailand, Vietnam, and Taiwan as part of the event. These evenings allowed us to explore the cultures of these places, sample local cuisine, and meet representatives of their film industries. More than just professional gatherings, they offered a glimpse into each place’s distinctive character, revealing just how closely cinema, cultural heritage, and everyday life are intertwined. It is moments like these that make international events truly special, bringing people together not only through their shared profession but also through a genuine curiosity about one another’s cultures.
The Azerbaijan Corner, which highlighted the country’s film industry and production capabilities, attracted particular attention at ACFM. Interest in Azerbaijan has also been fuelled by recent international productions. In 2025, Baku Media Center organised filming in Azerbaijan for the Japanese series Vivant, while in 2026 the FilmLab team coordinated the filming of Armour of God 4: Ultimatum in Baku. The delegation also included Fuad Mammadzada, producer at Baku Media Center, and Isa Melikov, director of FilmLab, who presented the country’s experience and its prospects for international collaboration.
Yet perhaps it is the personal encounters that make trips like these truly special. It was a great pleasure for me to meet the renowned South Korean actress Kim Hye-soo, as well as Jiao Hongfen, Chair of the China Film Producers Association. Equally rewarding was the interest our international colleagues showed in Azerbaijan, its culture, and its creative potential. Moments like these make it especially clear how important it is for a country to be represented at international events and to tell its story through real projects, talented people, and personal experiences. After all, it is these details that shape a country’s image beyond its borders.
For N13 Magazine, taking part in ACFM was a continuation of our work at the intersection of culture, creativity, and international exchange. We are passionate about telling stories not only of major events, but also of the people behind them, emerging trends, and opportunities that can change the way we view the industry.
Busan left us with a wealth of impressions, new connections, and memorable moments. And perhaps the most valuable thing about trips like these is the knowledge that every new acquaintance may lead to an interesting story, every conversation to a promising idea, and a single meeting to the beginning of a major collaborative project.
