KOFIC — the Korean Film Council (Korean Film Commission/Korean Film Institute) — is the government agency responsible for supporting and promoting the Korean film industry. For international productions considering Korean post-production or co-production, KOFIC is an important resource that offers several forms of support.
What Is KOFIC?
KOFIC operates under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and serves as the primary government body supporting the Korean film industry. Its mandate covers domestic film production support, international co-production facilitation, export promotion for Korean content, and infrastructure development for the Korean film industry.
For international filmmakers, KOFIC's most relevant functions are its co-production treaty administration, its Korea Film Commission network (which facilitates location filming in Korea), and its various funding programs that can support international co-productions with Korean involvement.
Co-Production Treaties
Korea maintains bilateral co-production treaties with multiple countries, including France, Canada, New Zealand, and Australia, with additional treaties in various stages of negotiation. Under these treaties, qualifying co-productions can access benefits in both participating countries.
For post-production specifically, co-production treaties can enable Korean post-production expenditure to count toward local content thresholds in the partner country. This means that a qualifying co-production between (for example) a Korean and French production company can count Korean finishing costs as qualifying Korean expenditure, potentially accessing additional funding or tax benefits.
The treaty qualification process requires formal application through KOFIC and the partner country's equivalent authority. Projects must meet specific requirements regarding creative control, financing structure, and the involvement of nationals from both treaty countries.
Funding and Support Programs
Production support: KOFIC administers various funding programs for Korean films and co-productions, including development funding, production funding, and post-production completion funding. International co-productions with significant Korean creative involvement may be eligible for some of these programs.
Location support: The Korea Film Commission network provides location scouting services, filming permits, and logistical support for productions shooting in Korea. This includes coordination with local authorities, translation services, and access to the KFCIN (Korea Film Commission International Network) database of Korean production service companies.
Export promotion: KOFIC supports Korean content at international markets and festivals, including the Asian Contents & Film Market at BIFF (Busan International Film Festival), Cannes, AFM, and others. These events provide opportunities for international producers to connect with Korean production and post-production companies.
How International Productions Can Access KOFIC Resources
KFCIN database: KOFIC maintains a database of accredited Korean production service companies, including post-production facilities. This is a useful starting point for identifying potential Korean post-production partners, though we recommend supplementing it with direct facility research and references.
Co-production treaty application: If your project qualifies as an international co-production under an existing treaty, contact KOFIC's international affairs department to begin the application process. The qualification criteria are specific and the process takes time — start early.
Korean Partners: Many KOFIC programs require a Korean production entity as a partner or applicant. If you are exploring Korean post-production without an existing Korean partner, a service provider like Seoul Post Studio can facilitate introductions and help navigate KOFIC resources.
For more on the Korean post-production market that KOFIC helps support, read our Complete Guide to Post-Production in Korea. For our analysis of how streaming platform investment has shaped the market KOFIC oversees, see our 2026 Industry Report.
Which KOFIC Program Fits Your Project?
KOFIC runs multiple distinct funding programs, each targeting different types of productions. Understanding which program matches your project is the difference between a successful application and wasted time.
International Co-Production Support. For films with formal Korean co-production structure. Requires a Korean production company partner, Korean creative or technical contribution, and submission through formal co-production treaty processes. Funding levels vary but can reach significant percentages of production budgets for qualifying projects.
Post-Production Incentive Programs. For international productions spending on Korean post-production services. Typically structured as reimbursement of qualifying expenditure after project completion. Requires invoicing through registered Korean post facilities and documentation of the work performed.
Location Filming Support. For productions shooting in Korea. Offers logistical support, location scouting assistance, and in some cases direct cash incentives. Often requires minimum spending thresholds on Korean crew and services.
Festival and Distribution Support. For completed Korean films or international films with significant Korean content pursuing international festival submissions and distribution. More targeted at post-completion support than production funding.
Application Process and Timing
KOFIC programs typically operate on annual cycles with specific submission windows. Applications generally require substantial documentation: production business plans, budgets broken down by expenditure category, Korean partner agreements, creative materials, and demonstration of production credibility.
Processing times range from 2 to 6 months depending on the program and application volume. Start planning at least 6 months before you need the funding, not after your production is already in motion. Late applications rarely succeed.
International applicants should work with a Korean production partner or consultant who understands the specific program requirements. KOFIC documentation is often primarily in Korean, and the application quality depends heavily on understanding what reviewers are looking for beyond the formal requirements.
What KOFIC Actually Looks For
Beyond the formal program requirements, KOFIC evaluates applications against broader strategic goals: promoting Korean film culture internationally, developing the Korean production market, supporting Korean creative talent, and advancing the technical capabilities of the Korean industry.
Applications that articulate how the project advances these goals — not just how the project meets minimum requirements — generally perform better. A post-production spending application that describes how the Korean work will showcase Korean technical capability internationally is more compelling than one that simply documents expenditure.
Relationships matter. Applications from producers with prior KOFIC engagement, or who have Korean partners with established KOFIC relationships, navigate the process more smoothly. First-time applicants benefit from working with experienced Korean partners or consultants.
Realistic Expectations for International Productions
KOFIC funding is real but competitive. Most international applicants who receive support get partial reimbursement or subsidies rather than full funding. The funding typically covers a percentage of qualifying Korean expenditure, not the full cost of the project.
For a production considering Korean post-production primarily for cost savings, KOFIC support can be the cherry on top rather than the core economic rationale. The Korean rate advantage alone often justifies the work; KOFIC support extends that advantage when the project qualifies.
Budget for the administrative overhead of KOFIC applications. Preparation can take 40-80 hours of concentrated work for a serious application, often requiring translation services and Korean partner coordination. Factor this into your decision about whether to pursue the funding.