Weta FX’s Kimball Thurston to Discuss AI at Netflix’s Creative Asia Panel in Busan

Netflix and the Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) have announced the return of their Creative Asia initiative for a third consecutive year. The program is scheduled to take place on October 10 at Dongseo University’s Centum Campus, with support from the Asian Film Commissions Network (AFCNet) and the Motion Picture Association (MPA).

As Netflix’s flagship program for nurturing emerging Asian storytellers, this year’s iteration marks a significant expansion by introducing workshops that provide aspiring writers with direct access to Netflix content executives.

A key highlight of the lineup is a co-hosted panel between Netflix and the MPA titled “AI in Filmmaking: New Tools, New Possibilities.” The discussion will explore the adoption of artificial intelligence across the APAC filmmaking sector. Youn Sung-eun will moderate the session, which features Sung Q Lee, Netflix’s senior director of APAC production; Kimball Thurston, chief technology officer at Peter Jackson’s Weta FX; and director Kang Yun-sung, known for “Run to the West” and “The Outlaws.”

The festival also highlights the Venice winner “Possible Love,” which is currently screening at BIFF. Cinematographer Kim Ji-yong will conduct a masterclass examining the visual construction of the film. He plans to detail his collaboration with director Lee Chang-dong, specifically discussing the decision to utilize natural light rather than artificial setups, using clips from the movie to illustrate his points.

Additional sessions include “Location and Storytelling,” moderated by Busan Asian Film School professor James Bang, with contributions from Lauren Cooper of the Location Managers Guild International, “Perfect Days” producer Reiko Kunieda, and Sung Q Lee. Furthermore, director Han Jun-hee, recognized for “D.P. 1 & 2,” “Weak Hero Class 1 & 2,” and “The Blue Road,” will lead a session focused on transforming unexpected material into compelling narratives.