Asian Producers Alliance Formed at Busan Film Festival
Independent producers from five territories launched an alliance to bolster cross-border collaboration and IP rights.
Updated on Oct. 11, 2026 in Film — General
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Independent film producers from South Korea, Indonesia, the Philippines, Hong Kong, and Taiwan have established the Asian Producers Alliance. The organization formed at the Busan International Film Festival with the goal of strengthening cross-border co-production and intellectual property protections.
Why it matters
Producers formed the alliance to address industry challenges collectively rather than in isolation. The group seeks to create a unified front to navigate international market changes while prioritizing the rights of creators.
The alliance represents producers across 5 Asian territories and establishes a 1-year term length for its inaugural leadership team. The group plans to meet online quarterly to advance their shared goals.
The players
Lee Dong-ha
He serves as an inaugural co-representative for the newly formed Asian Producers Alliance.
Edwin Nazir
He is an inaugural co-representative tasked with helping lead the alliance through its first year.
Han Jin
He serves as a co-secretary general for the alliance, focusing on administrative coordination.
Yulia Evina Bhara
She acts as a co-secretary general for the alliance to support its mission of cross-border cooperation.
The details
Initiated by the Producers Guild of Korea and the Indonesian Film Producers Association, the alliance focuses on facilitating international partnerships and securing intellectual property rights. Leadership roles for the one-year term include co-representatives Lee Dong-ha and Edwin Nazir, alongside co-secretary generals Han Jin and Yulia Evina Bhara.
Timeline
The alliance was officially launched on October 11, 2026, in Busan, South Korea.
A second seminar is scheduled to take place in December 2026 in Yogyakarta, Indonesia.
Industry Dynamics
The formation of this alliance follows the collaborative precedent set by the Busan International Film Festival's Asian Contents and Film Market. It reflects a broader trend of independent creators pooling resources to compete against global studio consolidation.
This alliance could lead to a higher volume of international co-productions and more diverse film content becoming available to global audiences. Viewers may see an increase in cross-territory collaborations as producers standardize rights protections.
The takeaway
Producers are signaling that cooperation is essential for navigating the complexities of international film markets. This move highlights a growing emphasis on protecting intellectual property as a foundation for sustainable cross-border filmmaking.
What happens next
The alliance will hold its second seminar at the JAFF Market in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, in December 2026.
Further reading
For more on industry developments, visit the Film — General section.
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