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Director Mohsen MAKHMALBAF made his debut film, "Tobeh Nosuh" in 1982, and has become one of the most important directors in Iran. As a director, he creates poetic sceneries and uses documentary techniques to reflect his lively interest in human beings who have suffered.

He has a long history with the Pusan International Film Festival. PIFF screened many of his films including "Gabbeh"(1995), "A Moment of Innocence"(1996), "Silence"(1998), "Kandahar"(2001), "The Afghan Alphabet"(2002), "Sex & Philosophy"(2005), and "Scream of the Ants"(2006). In 2000, the 5th PIFF held a 'Special Program in Focus' section dedicated to the films made by The Makhmalbafs. He was awarded 'The Asian Filmmaker of the Year Award' at the 8th PIFF in 2003. Currently, he's directing "Two-Legged Horse" which is expected to be released in 2008.

The fact that he taught cinema in his film school points to his efforts to encourage young filmmakers. As the dean of AFA 2007, he will stimulate the enthusiasm of filmmakers in Asia with his deep understanding of cinema and the society.



Director PAK Kiyong's feature directorial debut "Motel Cactus" (1997), received The New Currents Award at Pusan Int'l Film Festival, The FIPRESCI award at Rotterdam Int'l Film Festival and The Jury Prize at Fribourg Int'l Film Festival. His second endeavor "Camel(s)"(2001) which presented a deep understanding of digital arts won The Grand Prix and The SAA Script Award at Fribourg Int'l Film Festival. He has also produced "To the Starry Island"(1993), "Cinema on the Road: Korean part for the Century of Cinema series"(1995) and JANG Sunwoo’s “Variations"(2000).

He has been the Executive Director of the Korean Academy of Film Arts since 2001, served as a member of the faculty for the 1st AFA in 2005 and was the deputy dean of the 2nd AFA in 2006. He will aid the AFA Dean and coordinate overall proceedings at AFA.



Director Pen-Ek RATANARUANG majored in Art History at the Pratt Institute in New York. He then moved to Bangkok to work for several TV commercials, for which he won many awards. His debut feature film, "Fun Bar Karaoke"(1997, portrays the ordinary lives of young Thai in various images. He has become one of Thai cinema's leading "new wave" authors. With tactful styles, he describes today's Thailand as a chaotic melting pot of modern and tradition in his films including "6ixtynin9" (1999), "Transistor Love Story" (2001) and "Last Life in the Universe" (2003).

He has been invited to many film festivals including the Berlin International Film Festival, the Venice International Film Festival, the Toronto International Film Festival, the Cannes Film Festival and the Pusan International Film Festival.

He's releasing his recent film "Ploy", and he will share his keen sense of cinema with the fellows of AFA 2007.



After graduating from the American Film Institute, Cinematographer KURITA Toyomichi made his feature film debut with "Trouble Mind" (1985, Alan Rudolf) which won The Independent Spirit Award for Best Cinematography. Since then, he has been working in both Japan and the USA.

He took the role of Director of Photography showing his sensitive ability in numerous films and TV series including "Ohikkoshi" (1993, Shinji Somai), "Infinity" (1996, Matthew Broderick), "Cookie's Fortune" (1999, Robert Altman), "Imprint" (2006, Takashi Miike) and "Daddy's Little Girls" (2007, Tyler Perry). He was also nominated for best cinematography by the Japanese Academy Award for "Gohatto." (1999, Nagisa Oshima)

He's currently a professor of film production at Tokyo National University of Fine Arts & Music. At AFA, he will relate to the fellows his professional know-how based on his extensive experience in cinema.