WIELAND SPECK, curator of the Berlin International Film Festival’s Panorama section, will receive the Busan International Film Festival’s (BIFF) 2015 Korean Cinema Award, the organizers behind the South Korean festival announced Wednesday.

    The annual award honors individuals who have contributed to the promotion of Korean cinema to worldwide audiences.

    “Known for making qualified and popular selections in the Panorama section, Wieland Speck made great contributions to promoting Korean films by his Korean selections,” the BIFF said in a statement.

    During the 22 years in his post, Speck has invited 29 Korean movies to the Berlinale, beginning with “Seopyonje” (1994) by iconic filmmaker Im Kwon-taek. This year, J.K.Youn’s blockbuster historical drama “Ode to My Father” made its international premiere through the Berlinale’s Panorama section.

    Speck will receive his award during the 20th edition of BIFF, which will run Oct. 1-10. Last year’s recipient was Corinne Siegrist-Oboussier, director of Switzerland’s Filmpodium.

    (SD-Agencies)