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The Korean Film Council (KOFIC) has announced its major support program guidelines for 2026, rolling out a significantly expanded funding package designed to help the domestic film industry recover from prolonged post-pandemic challenges. The revamped programs reflect a dual focus: shoring up the mid-budget production sector that has struggled most acutely in recent years, while opening new pathways in AI-assisted filmmaking and international co-production.

Mid-Budget Production Support Doubles to ₩20 Billion

The flagship change is a doubling of the mid-budget Korean film production support fund — from ₩10 billion in 2025 to ₩20 billion (approximately USD 14.5 million) in 2026. The program now targets projects with net production budgets between ₩2 billion and ₩10 billion, with per-project support capped at the lower of 40% of net production costs or ₩2.5 billion.

Two structural reforms stand out. First, KOFIC is introducing a quota requiring that at least 30% of selected projects be directed by first-time feature directors — a measure aimed at accelerating new talent into a tier of filmmaking that has historically been dominated by established names. Second, up to 20% of selected projects may be international co-productions, signaling KOFIC's intent to embed global collaboration into the mainstream of Korean commercial filmmaking rather than treating it as a niche category.

An industry-responsive adjustment has also been made to the timeline for securing main investment and distribution agreements, extended from three to four months following final selection. Approximately 18 projects will be selected, with results expected in late March to early April.

Development Funding Up 80%

The Korean film development support budget sees an even larger proportional increase — up approximately 80% to ₩4.6 billion from ₩2.5 billion. The number of annual application rounds for both the writer and production company tracks increases from one to two, with the writer track selecting 45 projects in the first half and 40 in the second.

Eligibility for the writer track has been broadened to include individuals holding directing or assistant directing credits, lowering the barrier for working film professionals to transition into screenwriting. The production company track, meanwhile, introduces a new "lineup development" grant to support longer-term project slates, and reinstates a "next project development" grant that had previously been suspended — a move welcomed by producers looking to rebuild their pipelines.

Independent and Art Film Sector Gets ₩20.5 Billion

Support for independent and art-house cinema rises to ₩20.5 billion total, up approximately ₩4 billion from 2025. Of this, ₩7.7 billion is allocated directly to production support covering approximately 60 projects across features, shorts, and documentaries.

A notable policy shift concerns theatrical release support: the eligible applicant pool has been expanded beyond distributors to include production companies and individual directors. More significantly, KOFIC is abolishing the requirement to repay support funds in the event a film generates box office revenue — a clause that had long been criticized for creating a disincentive to release. The removal of this provision is expected to meaningfully increase the number of independent films reaching Korean theaters.

Distribution and exhibition support has also been reinforced, with expanded programs for comprehensive distribution assistance and curated screening initiatives intended to improve audience access to independent Korean cinema.

AI Film Production Support: A New Category

In one of the most closely watched announcements, KOFIC is launching a dedicated support program for AI-based film production — the first of its kind from a major national film funding body in Asia. The program will support approximately 8 feature-length films (60 minutes or longer) and 30 short films (10–20 minutes). The application window closed March 3, 2026, suggesting the inaugural cohort is already in selection.

The initiative positions KOFIC at the leading edge of institutional engagement with generative AI in filmmaking, at a moment when the technology's role in production pipelines remains contested globally.

International Co-Production Pilot Program: ₩3 Billion

A new international co-production pilot program, budgeted at ₩3 billion, will run two application rounds per year. The first-half deadline falls on April 10, 2026. The program is designed to build structural capacity for Korean producers to develop and execute projects with international partners — moving co-production from an opportunistic activity into a repeatable, supported practice.

Busan Gijang Studio Complex on Track for September 2026

Construction of the Busan Gijang Film Studio, launched in 2024 with the goal of decentralizing Korea's film production infrastructure away from the Seoul metropolitan area, is on schedule for completion in September 2026. The facility will include three indoor soundstages (1,000-, 650-, and 450-pyeong configurations) and an open studio spanning approximately 27,300 square meters, along with a dedicated virtual production studio.

The complex is expected to improve infrastructure access for regional production companies and strengthen Korea's appeal as a destination for global co-production projects requiring large-scale physical production facilities.

Filmmaker Career Management System

KOFIC is also moving to consolidate fragmented filmmaker credit databases into a single integrated platform. A new "Korean Film Credit Collection System" and a unified film information management portal will form the foundation of a formal career verification service — through which KOFIC will directly issue official filmmaker career certificates by 2027. The system is intended to improve workforce transparency and credentialing across the industry.

Full program guidelines are available at www.kofic.or.kr. Updates are also published in KOFIC's biweekly web magazine Korean Cinema Today at magazine.kofic.or.kr.