[Edaily Starin Choi Hee-jae Reporter] Kim Dong-ho, former chairman of the Busan International Film Festival, has been selected as the recipient of the “2026 Korean Film Achievement Award.”

On the 14th, through the Busan International Film Festival, Kim Dong-ho, the award recipient, shared his thoughts, saying, “Above all, I consider it an infinite honor to receive such a prestigious award,” and added, “I feel even more humbled to be receiving this award from the film festival that I founded and worked at for 15 years.”
He went on to express his passion for film, saying, “Even now, I travel to nearly ten international film festivals every year to promote Korean cinema, and I intend to continue this role for as long as I am able.”
Former Chairman Kim is credited with laying the groundwork for the international film festival in a field that was once barren and leading the globalization of Korean cinema. Having served at the Ministry of Culture and Public Information (now the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism), he held positions including President of the Korean Film Council, inaugural President of the Seoul Arts Center, and Vice Minister of Culture, thereby establishing the foundation for South Korea’s cultural administration.
Subsequently, in 1996, he was appointed as the inaugural Executive Chairman of the Busan International Film Festival and, with his strong drive, led the festival to a successful launch. In particular, his decisive stance in defending freedom of expression and independence by opposing the practice of pre-screening reviews of films during the festival’s early days played a decisive role in helping the Busan International Film Festival gain the trust of the global film community and establish itself as the hub of the Asian film network.
Even after stepping down as Executive Chair, former Chairman Kim continued to contribute tirelessly to the cultivation of future talent in Korean cinema and to cultural policy in general, serving as Dean of the Graduate School of Film and Content at Dankook University, Chair of the Committee for Cultural Prosperity, and Chairman of the Board of the Busan International Film Festival.
Furthermore, he served as jury president and juror at prestigious domestic and international film festivals—including the “Un Certain Regard” section at the Cannes Film Festival, as well as the Rotterdam International Film Festival and the Fukuoka International Film Festival—acting as a bridge to introduce Korean and Asian cinema to the world.
He has not slowed down even after retirement. Following *Young Dong-ho, the Film Enthusiast* (2024)—a film invited to the Cannes Classics section that looks back on his cinematic life—he released *Mr. Kim Goes to the Movies* (2025) the following year. This film, in which he collaborated with world-renowned masters such as Lee Chang-dong, Park Chan-wook, Bong Joon-ho, and Hirokazu Kore-eda, was invited to a special screening at the 30th Busan International Film Festival, marking a new milestone with his directorial debut.
The Busan International Film Festival stated, “His continued presence on set, holding a camera even at the age of 88, demonstrates that his passion for film is still very much alive.”

The 2026 Korean Film Achievement Award will be presented at the opening ceremony of the 31st Busan International Film Festival, to be held on October 6 at the Busan Cinema Center. The 31st Busan International Film Festival will take place from October 6 to October 15 at the Busan Cinema Center and throughout Busan.
Actor Kim Min-ha will host this year’s opening ceremony. The official motif of the festival poster is “Group Portrait.”