Buyers and sellers of broadcasting content from 541 companies in 49 countries around the world will gather at BEXCO in Busan for the 7th International Busan Contents Market from May 9-11.

From the U.S.’ Sony Pictures to Walt Disney, BBC Worldwide, Fuji Creative Corporation, Beta Film of Germany, Taewon Entertainment and YG Entertainment of Korea, the world’s most influential content traders will exchange the latest trends in creative content manufacturing and sign deals on TV dramas, documentaries and animated films, as well as new media content. This year, Disney Channel Korea as well as Yonhap News and general programming broadcasting networks will be joining the festival as new members.

“This year’s slogan is ‘New Contents, New Network.’ The event will be not just be grounds for sharing information but also for actual business deals,” said Koo Jong-sang, chairman of BCM Executive Committee.

The organizers have set up a “Biz Matching” program on May 9-10 at the BEXCO Exhibition Hall No. 1 where sellers, especially Korean venture firms, can meet with international buyers. A total of 124 meeting offers have been made so far, up from 75 meeting applications received last year, the committee said.

The Cultural Content Fund Investors’ Meeting will also be held at 2 p.m. on May 10 where the plans for the management of the fund established by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism will be unveiled.

By Bae Ji-sook (baejisook@heraldcorp.com)