Busan International Film Festival's Busan Story Market 2026 Seeks Companies with Publications Suitable as Source Material for Film, Drama, Games, and Other Video Content

The Organization for Promoting the Visual Industry of Japan (VIPO) (Representative Director: Takamasa Matsutani, Chuo-ku, Tokyo) is seeking participating companies for the Busan Story Market 2026, an exhibition aimed at the audiovisual adaptation of publications, held in conjunction with the Busan International Film Festival. This initiative supports the overseas expansion of Japanese publishing companies.

In today's rapidly evolving global video production environment, compelling "source material" is in high demand as a driving force for creating hits both domestically and internationally. The Busan Story Market is an exhibition and business meeting for publications (books/e-books) intended for video adaptation, and this will be Japan's fifth year exhibiting there.

We are seeking companies that possess publications suitable as "source material" for video content such as films, dramas, and games. This includes not only published novels and manga but also digital e-books.

Participating companies will have opportunities for business meetings and networking with buyers from around the world who are in Busan searching for source material for video adaptation, as well as with film festival attendees.

Last year, six participating companies conducted a total of 165 business meetings.

Publishing industry professionals looking to promote their works as source material for globally distributed video productions, or to build connections within the film and video content industry, are encouraged to apply.

Busan Story Market 2026 Company Participation Overview

[Event Period] Saturday, October 10, 2026 - Tuesday, October 13, 2026

[Location] Busan, South Korea

[Number of Slots] 4 companies

[Eligibility Requirements]

(1) Japanese companies that hold overseas sales rights for books/e-books aiming for adaptation into film, drama, games, or other video content, and are willing to promote their submitted works and other company titles at the Busan International Film Festival's Busan Story Market.

(2) Representatives must be able to attend the exhibition for as much of the 4-day period as possible and actively promote their company's works.

(3) The primary purpose of participation must be the overseas promotion and sales of the company's own works.

(4) Representatives must be able to conduct business negotiations in English (Korean is acceptable but English is preferred), with the assistance of their own interpreter if necessary.

*Synopsis and other work information submitted to BSM (scheduled for early August) must be prepared in English by each company.

(5) Participants must cooperate with post-event surveys and interviews regarding business outcomes during and after the event.

(6) Please be advised that photos and videos may be taken of participants during the event for record-keeping and promotional purposes, and these may be published on the VIPO website or other platforms.

[Bonus Points for Screening] *Not mandatory requirements.

(1) Works that have not been previously adapted into video content.

(2) Works published in Korean or English.

(3) Submitted works must have been published within the last year or be unpublished.

(4) Ability to present multiple works, not just the submitted one, at the exhibition.

[Selection of Participating Companies]

- Participating companies will be selected through a screening process from those who meet the application qualifications. Please understand that we may not be able to accept all applications.

- Participation may be declined if, even after the initial qualification screening, the purpose of participation is deemed to be inconsistent with the objectives of this project.

- Please note that detailed screening criteria and results will not be disclosed.

- Submissions of adult content (content restricted from viewing, purchase, or access by individuals under 18 by a third-party self-regulatory body), or content intended for political or religious propaganda, or that slanders specific political or religious stances, are prohibited.

[Participation Fee]

- VIPO will cover the registration fee for one person per company for the Busan Story Market.

- Participants are responsible for arranging their own flights and accommodation.

[How to Apply]

Please complete the designated "Application Form (Google form)" (link below) and submit it. Then, contact us via email by the application deadline to confirm your submission.

*Application documents (including attachments) will not be returned regardless of the screening results.

[Application Deadline] Wednesday, July 15, 2026, 17:00

[Notification of Results]

All applicants will be notified of the screening results via email.

Application Form Here

[Contact for Applications/Inquiries] Organization for Promoting the Visual Industry of Japan (VIPO) Contact: Kazoka matching@vipo.or.jp *Please include "BSM2026" in the subject line of your email when applying or inquiring.