The Korean Academy of Film Arts (KAFA) was founded by the Korean Film Council (KOFIC) in 1984 as a national film school in South Korea. The main goal of KAFA is to focus on fostering professional filmmakers through highly selective and intensive education with field-centered training programs.
Originally located in Seoul, KAFA relocated to Busan in 2018. This move followed the relocation of the Korean Film Council (KOFIC), with both institutions taking on new roles in promoting the film industry in Busan, recruiting and educating new talented filmmakers, and contributing to the development of the regional film industry.
KAFA tailors its courses to suit the students’ needs, to assist them in creating their own work, and to help them produce high-quality films. The school’s approach is centered on providing practical, hands-on experience that prepares students for the realities of the film industry.
KAFA offers multiple ranges of education courses through its Regular Program, which consists of disciplines that include Directing, Cinematography, Producing, Animation, and Sound. Additionally, the school runs a Feature Film Program dedicated to making feature-length films, providing students with the opportunity to gain experience in professional film production.
In 2006, KAFA established its feature film programs, in which students learn about on-set practices by producing roughly seven feature films per year. This practical approach to education ensures that graduates are well-prepared for the demands of the industry.
The school’s curriculum has continued to evolve over the years. In 2016, the Producing major was reestablished, and the Feature film programs under the animation directing major were turned into a two-year course. More recently, in 2023, KAFA established an Actors curriculum, further expanding its educational offerings.
KAFA’s educational philosophy emphasizes the importance of practical knowledge and hands-on experience. The teaching program is a mixture of theoretical and practical training and includes a large number of exercises and productions. This balanced approach ensures that graduates are not only technically proficient but also artistically mature and culturally aware.
KAFA has played a crucial role in the development of Korean cinema, which has gained significant international recognition in recent decades. The school’s graduates have been at the forefront of the Korean New Wave, contributing to the global recognition of Korean cinema through their innovative and distinctive filmmaking styles.
In 2023, KAFA celebrated its 40th Anniversary with special exhibitions and events held in various locations including Jeonju, Tokyo, and London, highlighting the school’s significant contribution to Korean and international cinema over four decades.
The school has also expanded its international presence. In 2023, the CJ Cultural Foundation held a KAFA educational event in Vietnam, and a Korean-French Film Academy was established, demonstrating KAFA’s growing influence beyond Korea’s borders.
KAFA has produced over eight hundred outstanding filmmakers who are leading the Korean film industry. Notable alumni include directors Hur Jin-ho (9th graduate), Jang Joon-hwan (11th graduate), Choi Dong-hoon (15th graduate), Yoon Sung-hyun (25th graduate), and Cho Sung-Hee (25th graduate).
Perhaps the most internationally recognized KAFA graduate is director Bong Joon-ho (11th graduate), who in 2020 won the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival for his film “Parasite,” which also went on to win the Academy Award for Best Picture and Best Director, marking a historic moment for Korean cinema on the global stage.
KAFA films regularly feature at international film festivals and in theaters worldwide, further cementing the school’s reputation for excellence in film education. The school’s emphasis on fostering creativity, technical proficiency, and artistic vision has produced filmmakers who have significantly contributed to the global recognition of Korean cinema.
Click below to ADD TO FAVORITE or ADD NOTES.
