Founding director of South Korea’s Busan Film Commission (BFC) Park Kwang-su is to step down from his position as head of the locations services organization. Filmmaker Oh Seok-geun will take his place as of tomorrow (Sept 7).

A well-known veteran filmmaker, Park (Chilsu & Mansu) introduced the concept of governmental location support services in Korea. He created several parts of the infrastructure that today brings the majority of Korean films and even some overseas films to shoot and do post-production in Busan - a city which was previously a film industry backwater. His initiatives include: Busan Cinema Studios, Busan Cinema Venture Center and the Busan Post Production Facility.

Previously a Pusan International Film Festival (PIFF) vice chairman (1996 – 1998), Park was also co-executive chairman of the Asian Film Market (2006 – 2007), and played a prominent role in expanding the Asian film industry’s network with the Busan International Film Commission & Industry Showcase (BIFCOM), Asian Film Commissions Network (AFCNet) and Asian Film Policy Forum - Film Policy Plus (FPP).

President of the PIFF-affiliated production company BALCON, Oh Seok-geun (born 1961) was previously PIFF secretary-general 1996 - 2000. A graduate of the Korean Academy of Film Arts (KAFA), Oh has directed three feature films including 101st Propose.

Park Kwang-su resigned in order to give more focus to his other posts as the dean of the School of Film, TV & Multimedia at Korea National University of Arts (KNUA) and the artistic director of 2012 Yeosu Expo.

Busan mayor Hur Nam-sik is to award Park an achievement plaque for his contribution to the advancement of Busan towards becoming an Asian film hub and induct him as an honorary director of the BFC.

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