[News] Lee Chang-dong Takes Dean of Asian Film Academy 2013.

Korean famed director Lee Chang-dong, who became dean of Asian Film Academy [AFA] 2013. [BIFF]

[News] Lee Chang-dong Takes Dean of Asian Film Academy 2013.

Cr. - kstar10

Famed Korean director Lee Chang-dong is to devote his passion and experience to training young Asian film talents.

The novelist-turned-director has been appointed dean of Asian Film Academy [AFA] 2013, a subsidiary film education program of Busan International Film Festival [BIFF], the festival said on March 18.

Lee marks himself as the second Korean director to take the honorable position, following film maestro Im Kwon-taek of “Surrogate Mother” and “Chihawseon.”

Speaing to TenAsia English, Lee spoke of his joy at the invitation to lead this year's AFA, "it's a big responsibility to foster the cinematic talents of Asia, as they will be the future leaders of Asian cinema. I'm also very excited at the thought of meeting every single one of the attendees."

When Lee Chang-dong gave a lecture about his artistic journey at a master class in AFA 2011, it proved to be a great hit with the venue becoming completely full with many being refused entry.

In addition, Thai independent filmmaker Aditya Assarat will serve as the directing mentor of AFA 2013. Assarat’s “Wonderful Town” won the New Currents Award at the 2007 BIFF.

AFA is an intensive cinema education program for international would-be filmmakers, providing critique on short film production, workshops, a master class, special lecture series, and mentoring.

Co-hosted by Dongseo University, Busan Film Commission and BIFF, the 9th AFA will run for 18 days from September 26 to October 13 this year. The call for fellowship applications closes on April 30.

Lee Chang-dong, undoubtedly one of the most highlighted filmmakers in Korean Cinema, made his directorial debut with “Green Fish” in 1997 after giving up his previous occupation as a novelist and a high school teacher.

His second feature film “Peppermint Candy,” the opening film of the 4th Busan International Film Festival, was widely acclaimed by both critics and audiences. He was invited to the 59th Venice International Film Festival Best Director with his next film, “Oasis.”

Actress Jeon Do-yeon, a desperate widow in Lee’s fourth feature “Secret Sunshine,” was honored to be the first Korean actress to win Best Actress at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival in 2007.

“Poetry,” Lee’s most recent work in 2010 and the winnr of the Best Screenplay at the 63rd Cannes Film Festival, has earned international success after it was sold to some 20 countries including the United States, Canada, the U.K., Hong Kong, Spain, Russia and Brazil.

The film, about an elderly woman who deals with problems at home and with her Alzheimer`s disease by writing poems, was also named as one of the best movies of 2011 by CNN as well as various other online movie websites.