Netflix and the Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) are bringing back the Creative Asia program for its third year on Oct. 10 at Dongseo University's Centum Campus. This year's edition expands with hands-on workshops connecting emerging creators directly to Netflix content executives, alongside a high-profile panel on artificial intelligence featuring technologists from Peter Jackson's Weta FX.
The program represents a collaboration between BIFF, the Asian Film Commissions Network (AFCNet), and the Motion Picture Association (MPA). For the first time, the initiative will move beyond talks and networking to include practical workshops, giving aspiring writers direct access to decision-makers who greenlight projects.
AI takes center stage with Weta FX and Netflix
Netflix and the MPA are co-hosting "AI in Filmmaking: New Tools, New Possibilities," a panel examining how artificial intelligence is being adopted across the Asia-Pacific filmmaking industry. Film critic Youn Sung-eun moderates the discussion.
The panelists bring both creative and technical heft. Sung Q Lee, Netflix's senior director of APAC production, will speak alongside Kimball Thurston, chief technology officer at Weta FX - the visual effects studio co-founded by Peter Jackson that delivered work on The Lord of the Rings and Avatar franchises. Director Kang Yun-sung rounds out the group.
For working creatives watching this space, the presence of Weta FX signals that practical AI filmmaking programs are moving from experimental labs into established production pipelines. Thurston's involvement suggests the conversation will lean toward real-world tooling rather than speculation.
Creative Asia expands with hands-on workshops
Creative Asia launched as Netflix's flagship initiative for helping emerging Asian creators develop ideas for the screen. The addition of workshops this year marks a structural shift - participants will now get direct feedback from Netflix content executives rather than just attending presentations.
The program's return for a third consecutive year indicates Netflix is deepening its investment in the region's talent pipeline. BIFF's Centum Campus location places the event squarely within Asia's most influential film market.
Why this matters for creatives
The AI panel is not a theoretical exercise. Weta FX has already integrated machine learning into its production workflows, and Netflix's production arm is evaluating similar tools. For film professionals, editors, and visual artists, the message is clear: major studios are actively building AI into their pipelines. Understanding these tools - whether for pre-visualization, rotoscoping, or generative effects - is becoming a practical requirement, not a future consideration. AI for creatives is shifting from optional exploration to career necessity.
Your membership also unlocks:
