India is set to make history at the Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) 2025 and the Asian Contents & Film Market (ACFM) in South Korea with its strongest-ever participation. For the first time, a Ministerial delegation led by Dr. L. Murugan, Minister of State for Information & Broadcasting, will represent India, underlining the nation’s growing commitment to cultural diplomacy, creative collaborations, and expansion of the AVGC (Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, and Comics) sector on the global stage.
First-Ever Ministerial Delegation to BIFF
The Indian delegation will include senior officials from the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, representatives from NFDC, FICCI, FTII, SRFTII, and IIMC, as well as creators from the WAVES Bazaar initiative. This landmark delegation underscores India’s intent to position itself as a global hub for the Creative Economy while strengthening cultural ties with South Korea.
Minister’s Statement
Ahead of the event, Dr. L. Murugan stated:
“India is proud to participate in BIFF 2025, a festival that brings together the best of Asian and global cinema. Our presence here reflects India’s resolve to expand co-productions, create new opportunities in AVGC, and strengthen cultural bonds with South Korea. Through WAVES Bazaar and Bharat Parv, we showcase not only our creative economy but also the timeless heritage and talent of India.”
Bharat Pavilion and WAVES Bazaar
The Bharat Pavilion, themed “India – Creative Economy for the World”, will be showcased at both BIFF and ACFM. A central highlight will be the WAVES Bazaar initiative, designed to connect Indian producers, distributors, and content creators with international markets. The Pavilion will also host a panel discussion on “India–Korea Synergies: New Horizons in Co-Productions” with government officials and industry leaders from both nations.
Indian Films at BIFF 2025
This year marks India’s strongest-ever film showcase at BIFF, with 10 diverse films representing the depth of Indian cinema:
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Spying Stars (Padma Shri Nila Madhab Panda) – competing in the Inaugural Competition section.
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If on a Winter Night (Sanju Surendran)
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Kok Kok Kokoook (Maharshi Tuhin Kashyap)
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Shape of Momo (Tribeny Rai) – under Vision Asia section.
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Bayaan (Bikas Ranjan Mishra)
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Don’t Tell Mother (Anoop Lokkur)
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Full Plate (Tannishtha Chatterjee)
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Karinji (Sheetal N.S.)
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I, Poppy (Vivek Chaudhary)
At ACFM’s Asian Project Market, five Indian projects have been selected:
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Difficult Daughters (dir. Soni Razdan; producers Alia Bhatt, Shaheen Bhatt, Alan McAlex, Grishma Shah)
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The Last of Them Plagues (dir. Kunjila Mascillamani; producers Payal Kapadia, Jeo Baby, Kani Kusruti)
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Lanka (The Fire) (dir. Saurav Rai; producers Sudeepta Sadhukhan, Viraj Selot, Ankita Purkayastha)
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Moon (dir./prod. Pradip Kurbah)
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The Magical Men (dir. Biplob Sarkar; international co-producers)
Bharat Parv – Celebrating Indian Culture
A special cultural event, Bharat Parv, will be hosted to celebrate Indian heritage through music, arts, and cuisine. It aims to strengthen people-to-people ties and cultural diplomacy between India and Korea, with participation from leaders of both countries’ media and entertainment industries.
Policy Dialogues and MoUs
The visit will also feature high-level policy exchanges:
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A G2G meeting between Dr. Murugan and the South Korean Minister of Culture, Sports & Tourism to establish a structured India–Korea AVGC & Film Co-Production Framework.
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Signing of Letters of Intent (LoIs) between NFDC, FTII, IICT and Korean institutions such as KAFA, KOFIC, KOCCA, and Korean OTT platforms. These will cover training, exchange programs, and Indian content distribution in Korea.
About BIFF and ACFM
The Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) is one of Asia’s most prestigious film festivals, recognized by FIAPF alongside IFFI (India) and Cannes. The Asian Contents & Film Market (ACFM) is a premier co-production and financing platform that connects filmmakers with global investors, distributors, and partners, making it a vital hub for international film collaboration.
Conclusion
India’s participation in BIFF 2025 represents a historic cultural and creative milestone, showcasing the nation’s strongest-ever film lineup, co-production opportunities, and creative economy initiatives. With WAVES Bazaar, Bharat Parv, and policy collaborations, India is poised to strengthen its global partnerships, boost the AVGC sector, and enhance its cultural footprint in Asia and beyond.
