’s annual market events will be shifting largely online this year. That is a response to the coronavirus pandemic, and widespread travel restrictions in Asia., previously known as the Asian Film Market, “will run as a combined virtual and physical event” from Monday Oct. 12 to Wednesday 14 Oct. That is also one day shorter than the previously announced dates of Oct. 10-13, 2020.
The physical component of the E-IP Market will be held at Busan’s BEXCO Exhibition Center 2 “in compliance with proper safety protocols and quarantine guidelines set by central and local governments.” Foreign journalists were this week invited to apply for festival accreditation. But any arriving from outside the country were warned about strict ongoing health regulations. They would have to do two weeks of mandatory quarantine, at their own expense, before being able to attend the festival. Many would also face quarantine restrictions on return to their home countries.
Nevertheless, market organizers remained upbeat. “ACFM 2020 online enhancements will effectively spur business meetings for local and international film industry professionals who cannot physically be present due to the COVID-19 outbreak,” they said on Friday.