BUSAN -- Independent filmmakers from around Asia have high hopes for the Busan International Film Festival’s newly launched feature Platform Busan, they said Sunday.

The platform, in commemoration of the late BIFF executive programmer Kim Ji-seok, seeks to provide a network and community for indie filmmakers throughout Asia, who often struggle from lack of funding and producing in their respective countries. Its blueprint was designed by Kim years before his death.

“During a lunch last year, Kim said that even if anything happens to the festival and it has to be stripped down … the one thing he would still care about would be the new voices of Asia, that the heart of it should remain the emerging voices of Asia,” said Boo Junfeng, a filmmaker from Singapore, at a panel discussion featuring seven Asian indie filmmakers at the Busan Exhibition & Convention Center.

Boo, who debuted in 2010 with “Sandcastle,” credited the late Kim with launching his career.

Before his passing in May, Kim had been a champion for independent Asian cinema throughout his career, discovering Asian talent through the Busan film fest. 

The filmmakers went on to explain the situations in their own respective countries.

“In the Philippines, indie directors end up taking on the massive load of pitching, producing, directing and distributing their films by themselves,” said Bianca producer-director Balbuena, who also said her career began with the help of Kim. “We need producers to help move projects forward.”

In Thailand, there is a studio system in place that produces good commercial films, but none for indie filmmakers, said Aditya Assarat, who has remained an independent director despite offers from studios.

“But some people like me, independent filmmakers, don’t fit into that system. Essentially, you work alone. There is a lack of organization, and it is difficult to get things going.”

New wave Malaysian director Pete Teo expressed his anticipation about Platform Busan’s future role in Asian cinema.

“It’s empowering to meet filmmakers from all over Asia. It can be lonely making indie films, but being here, I see that there are peers all over the region. We share the same interests and problems, and it seems more possible to do this.”

Platform Busan aims to offer forums and discussions for Asian indie filmmakers and later, potentially cater to specific professions such as editing and scriptwriting.

By Rumy Doo (doo@heraldcorp.com)