The Asian film industry is still in shock as Mr. Kim Ji-seok, the Deputy Director of the Busan International Film Festival died on Thursday evening (May 18th) while attending the Cannes Film Festival in France.

After the news spread on some news portals lots of film directors, film festival organizers and other people from the industry flooded their social media with messages towards the late Director.

Born in 1960, Kim Ji-seok was a founding member of the Busan International Film Festival (BIFF). He was currently the Deputy Director and the Executive Programmer of the BIFF. He shown great passion and devotion towards Asian films, he also contributed in making the BIFF one of the most important film festival from Asia and the rest of the world.

Cannes Film Festival artistic director Thierry Fremaux said on Friday “He was one of the great inspirations behind the Busan Festival where he always stood out. He was a great professional and a great program organizer, always curious about everything – he saw every film there was to see.” He also added. “He was a fierce defender of Korean cinema, having accompanied the emergence of the new generation in his country. With Christian Jeune, we loved him dearly and are heartbroken at his passing. The Festival de Cannes pays tribute to him and presents its deepest condolences to his family. This tragic news came the day of the presentation of a film by his great friend Bong Joon Ho. Our community has lost one of its most precious members.”

I have to say many of my contacts from the industry who meet Mr. Kim Ji-seok had lots of good memories about him. They also remarked his great passion towards cinema and his support towards new Asian directors. It’s indeed a great lost for the Cinema industry. He will be miss for sure.

Rest in Peace Mr. Kim Ji-seok