Until 2004, Korea was without a reliable nationwide box office system with which accurate data on admissions could be gathered. Figures were based on Seoul admissions according to hand counting and generally were inaccurate. Acutely aware of the need for trustworthy nationwide box office figures in order to realize the goal of the rationalization of the film industry, KOFIC finally managed to gather together over 95% of screens in the country in its Nationwide Computerized Box Office Data System, also known as KOBIS, which provides real-time accounting of tickets sold throughout the country. KOBIS provides the securing of transparent and accurate data for the Korean film industry that will in the end help to reform film distribution system in Korean film market.

Towards the aim of invigorating North-South Korean film exchange, KOFIC offers support to South Korean production companies that are developing film projects in collaboration with the North and/or about the North. This year¡¯s program will look at projects that deal with finding commonalty between North and South Koreans, the harmonization of North and South, and themes of common interest for both North and South Korea

O Recent recipients of this support program include:
2007 by BAE Hyung-jun: a Korea-Japan co-production.
2007 by JEON Soo-il: a Korea-French co-production.
2006 by KIM Young-nam: a Korea-Japan co-production.
2005 by HONG Sangsoo: a Korea-French co-production.

KOFIC endeavors to invigorate production and diversify exhibition platforms for Korean films, reflecting the trend of convergence between cinema and broadcasting. By supporting HD film productions in conjunction with Korean Broadcasting System (KBS) and Jeonju Film Commission that bridges digital cinema and HD broadcast, KOFIC seeks to promote link between film and broadcast, while getting prepared for the future of digital contents era by promoting energetic nature of Korean films and providing the stable production condition for diverse-natured films.

By offering art film production support program, KOFIC seeks diversity of Korean film through development & incubation of domestic film professionals and enhancement of their creative will to develop a stable production condition in revitalizing low-budget art films. KOFIC aims to create more diversity in Korean cinema by discovering and cultivating local filmmakers and advocating their creative drive, and also aims to foster stable production conditions for vigorous production of low-budget art films. Eligibility goes to feature-length live-action films of below 2 billion KW (approx. US$ 2.17 million) in budget, and feature-length animation films of below 3 billion KW (approx. US$ 3.26 million) in budget, made for theatrical exhibition and with inclination on art and quality. The films must be in pre-production/planning stage with a local producer. (Films in production are not eligible.) Also eligible are films by a noteworthy Korean filmmaker and a co-production film that already has at least one foreign production partner.

• Recent recipients of this support fund include:

KOFIC works for the long-term advancement of Korean films by providing subsidies to theaters that broaden the opportunities for art films to be exhibited and create an environment where audiences can see more diverse films. KOFIC is creating an alternative distribution system with the art cinema theater network of theaters that focus on screening art films and independent films. Visit www.arpluscn.or.kr for more information.

By producing and distributing DVDs for diverse-themed films (including independent and low-budget art films) that have difficulty getting theatrical distribution and exhibition, KOFIC works to improve the distribution environment for these films and to introduce them to the public.

KOFIC provides marketing cost (P&A) for the exhibition and the distribution of films produced in various formats and deemed to contribute on the enhancement of diversity in film culture. Eligible are the films of 60 minutes or longer (including omnibus films) and shot on film or digital format to be shown theatrically. Any one of producer, distributor or director of the film can apply for this support. This support program previously ran under the title of ¡®Marketing Support for Diversity¡¯ but beginning in 2007, the program was renamed to show the strengthening of KOFIC¡¯s relationship with Artplus Cinema Network.