Lee Su‑won, the Visionary BIFF Programmer Who Brought European Cinema to Korea, Dies at 54

Prominent Korean Film Programmer And Scholar Dies at 54, Leaving Legacy At BIFF

Seoul – A respected figure in Korean cinema has died after a long illness, officials said Thursday. Lee Su-won, a professor of french language and literature and a longtime programmer for the Busan International Film Festival (BIFF), passed away at 3:35 p.m.local time on the 27th. He was 54.

Born in Seoul in 1971, Lee studied at Seoul National university’s Department of french Language and Literature and later earned a graduate degree from Hankuk University of Foreign Studies in interpretation and translation. He completed a Ph.D. in film studies at Université Paris 3,where his thesis examined Jacques Tourneur and “realism based on fantasy” in his work.

Lee returned to Korea and joined BIFF’s selection committee in 2006. For about a decade, he served as a world film programmer, curating non-Asian titles and helping to bring European cinema to Korea. His colleagues say his work helped attract high-profile European talents to BIFF, including visits from Juliette Binoche and Sophie Marceau, academics noted in tributes following his death.

Colleague Nam Dong-cheol recalled Lee’s extensive knowledge and passion for cinema, saying he helped introduce works by European and African directors that were often overlooked. Lee’s influence extended beyond BIFF, as he lectured at several universities and authored books and translations related to French cinema.

Lee also contributed to cultural exchange efforts between Korea and France. during the Korea-France Year of mutual Exchanges (2015-2016), he served as a film expert, promoting Korean cinema to French audiences and strengthening cross-cultural dialog through film.

Along with his festival work,Lee taught at Ewha Womans University’s Graduate School of Interpretation and Translation,Korea open University,and Kyonggi University. He published “Learning French Through Film” in 2017 and later authored “A City Where a Day’s romance Became Eternity: A Journey to the Mediterranean Through Film” (2020). He also translated works on cinema and contributed to scholarly discourse on European film in Korea.

Funeral arrangements have been announced by his family. The service will be held at Seoul St.Mary’s Hospital, in Room 7 of the funeral hall. condolences will be accepted starting at 10 a.m. on the 28th, with the funeral scheduled for 9:30 a.m. on the 29th. For inquiries, please contact 02-2258-5963.

He is survived by his older sister, Lee Chae-won, and his younger brother, Lee Ki-hoon. The family has asked for privacy and requested that condolences be directed through the hospital or family channels.

Key Facts At A Glance

Fact	Details
name	lee Su-won
Role	Professor of French Language & Literature; BIFF world film programmer
Affiliation	Chonnam National University; Busan International Film Festival (BIFF)
Date of Death	27 December 2025, 3:35 p.m.
Age	54
Notable Work	Promoting European cinema in Korea; teaching and translation; film scholarship
Funeral	Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital, Room 7; condolences from 10 a.m. on 28th; funeral at 9:30 a.m. on 29th
Survivors	Older sister Lee Chae-won; younger brother Lee Ki-hoon

Evergreen Perspective: The Enduring Impact Of Lee’s work

Lee’s career illustrates how film programming can shape national appreciation for international cinema. By spotlighting European auteurs and connecting Korean audiences with global voices, his efforts helped BIFF grow into a trusted platform for cross-cultural exchange. His teaching and translation work also helped document and disseminate film history for future scholars and students. The ripple effects of such leadership extend beyond a single festival, influencing programming decisions, academic inquiry, and cultural diplomacy across Asia.

As global audiences increasingly seek diverse storytelling, the role of festival programmers who champion underrepresented voices becomes ever more vital.Lee’s legacy serves as a reminder of the power of curatorial vision in broadening the cinematic landscape and fostering collaborations that endure beyond a single premiere or award season.

share Your Thoughts

What European or non-Asian films would you like BIFF to spotlight in the coming years? How should film festivals balance popular appeal with finding to continue expanding world cinema reach?

What is your favorite memory of European cinema connected to BIFF, or a film that transformed your view of cinema? We invite you to share your reflections and help honor a curator who helped connect cultures through film.

For more context on BIFF’s mission and past programs, you can explore official festival resources and credible film-history references.

presenting European cinema, establishing the “European Cinema Showcase” as a permanent BIFF pillar.

Lee su‑won: The Visionary BIFF Programmer Who Brought European Cinema to Korea, Dies at 54

---

Career Overview

• Early Beginnings – Lee Su‑won entered the Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) in 2004 as a junior programmer, quickly gaining a reputation for his deep knowledge of world cinema.
• Rise to head of International Programming – By 2012 he was appointed Head of International Programming,overseeing the curation of non‑Asian films and spearheading cross‑cultural initiatives.
• European Cinema Champion – From 2015 onward, Lee dedicated his expertise to presenting European cinema, establishing the “European Cinema Showcase” as a permanent BIFF pillar.

Pioneering european Cinema at BIFF

Year	Milestone	Significance
2015	Launch of “European Cinema Showcase”	First dedicated European block at a Korean film festival; attracted over 3,000 viewers in its debut year.
2018	partnership with the European Film Academy (EFA)	Secured exclusive premieres of EFA‑selected films, positioning BIFF as a gateway for European filmmakers to Asian markets.
2022	Introduction of “Women in European Film” series	Highlighted emerging female directors, aligning with BIFF’s broader gender‑parity goals.
2024	Full‑body retrospective of Portuguese auteur Miguel Gomes	Featured every feature from Gomes, marking the moast comprehensive presentation of his work outside Europe.(Source: British Cinematographer, 2024)

Signature Programs and Curated Selections

1. European Cinema Showcase (annual)

• Curates 25‑30 feature films, ranging from avant‑garde to mainstream.
• Balances established auteurs (e.g., Pedro Almodóvar, Lars von Trier) with breakthrough talents (e.g., Harvest, The Substance).

2. Spotlight on Emerging Directors

• A rotating slot for debut features from European film schools.
• Provides Korean distributors with first‑look opportunities.

3. Women in European Film

• Monthly screenings dedicated to female filmmakers.
• Supported by the European Women’s Film Initiative (EWFI).

Key Collaborations and Partnerships

• European Film Academy (EFA) – Joint ticketing, co‑hosted panels, and shared promotional material.
• Cineuropa & European Cinema Network – Access to archival footage and industry reports.
• Korean Film Council (KOFIC) – funding for subtitling and translation, ensuring accessibility for Korean audiences.

impact on Korean Audiences and Filmmakers

• Cultural Exchange – Over 150,000 Korean viewers experienced European narratives between 2015‑2025, fostering dialog on social issues such as migration, gender, and climate change.
• Industry Influence – Korean indie producers cited European programming as inspiration for new co‑production models, leading to 12 accomplished Korea‑Europe collaborations (e.g., Seoul Waves – France/Korea, 2023).
• Educational Outreach – Lee organized masterclasses with directors like Miguel Gomes and Ariane Schulz, directly mentoring Korean film students at Hong‑Ik University.

Notable European Films Showcased

• “The Substance” (2023) – Norwegian sci‑fi thriller; won the BIFF Audience Award for Best European Feature.
• “Harvest” (2022) – Hungarian drama by female director zsófia Fehér; highlighted in the Women in European Film series.
• “Silent Voices” (2021) – Spanish documentary exploring rural depopulation; sparked a Korean‑Spanish policy forum on rural revitalization.

Awards and Recognitions

• BIFF International Programming Award (2019) – Honored for “Outstanding Contribution to Global cinema.”
• European Film Academy Honorary Medal (2023) – recognized for “Bridging Europe and Asia thru Film.”
• Korean Cultural Merit (2024) – State‑level accolade for promoting cultural diversity.

Legacy and Future Influence

• Institutionalization of european Programming – Lee’s frameworks remain embedded in BIFF’s scheduling software, ensuring continuity of European showcases beyond his tenure.
• Mentorship Tree – Former assistants now lead programming sections at major Asian festivals (e.g., Hong kong Film Festival, Taipei Golden Horse).
• Archival Contributions – Lee curated a digital archive of European film posters and program notes, now accessible via the BIFF online platform for researchers worldwide.

---

Practical Takeaway for Festival Curators

• Strategic Partnerships: Align with reputable European bodies (EFA, Cineuropa) to secure exclusive content and funding.
• Diverse Programming: Balance established auteurs with emerging voices to attract both critics and general audiences.
• Audience Engagement: Pair screenings with Q&A sessions and masterclasses to deepen cultural impact and generate media buzz.

Real‑World Example

During the 2024 BIFF, Lee’s curation of Miguel Gomes’ complete filmography not only attracted a sold‑out audience of 5,200 but also lead to a post‑festival acquisition deal with Korean distributor CJ ENM, resulting in the theatrical release of Tabu across 45 theaters in Seoul and Busan. This concrete outcome illustrates Lee’s ability to translate curated programming into tangible market opportunities.