- The Program: ‘Public Indie,’ a non-competitive exhibition track for public and educational institutions.
- The Goal: To showcase the results of game industry support programs and foster networking between policy-makers and indie creators.
- The Event: Busan Indie Connect (BIC) Festival 2026, held in August at BEXCO, Busan.
- Deadline: Applications are open until June 29, 2026 (Monday).
The Busan Indie Connect Festival Organizing Committee (Chairman Joo Seong-pil) officially announced today, March 12, that it has begun recruiting participants for the ‘Public Indie’ section of BIC Festival 2026.
Unlike the high-pressure competitive sections of the festival, Public Indie is designed as a collaborative space for local governments, public agencies, and academic institutions to present their supported games and educational achievements to a global audience.
What is ‘Public Indie’?
The core philosophy of BIC Festival is to prioritize the essence of indie games over capital-driven booth competitions. To maintain this, the committee limits commercial booth sales and instead offers the Public Indie track.
This program is specifically tailored for:
- Local Government Agencies: Showcasing regional game industry growth.
- Public Institutions: Promoting national indie game support programs.
- Educational Institutions: Displaying student projects from game academies and universities.
Participants receive a multi-purpose booth that serves not only as an exhibition floor but also as a hub for industry networking and promotional activities.
Participant Benefits
Institutions selected for the Public Indie track will receive:
- Integrated Exhibition: Space in both the offline (BEXCO) and online (official website) festivals.
- Customized Promotion: Tailored PR support through BIC’s official channels.
- Award Opportunities: Eligibility for nominations in the BIC Festival Special Awards.
- Access: Free passes for staff and developers to attend all festival sessions and networking events.
Event Schedule & Logistics
This year, the festival expands its footprint, moving to Hall 2 of BEXCO Exhibition Center 1, providing even more space for the growing number of global participants.
| Category | Date | Location |
| Online Festival | August 7 (Fri) – 28 (Fri), 2026 | bicfest.org |
| Offline (Business Day) | August 14 (Fri), 2026 | BEXCO Hall 2 |
| Offline (Festival Days) | August 15 (Sat) – 16 (Sun), 2026 | BEXCO Hall 2 |
Note: The festival is free for general visitors on August 15 and 16.
About BIC: Korea’s Global Indie Gateway
Now in its 12th year, the BIC Festival has solidified its reputation as a premier global gathering for independent developers. The event is famous for its diverse makeup; typically, about 60% of exhibiting developers are international (representing the English-speaking world and beyond), while 40% are domestic Korean creators.
Previous BIC alumni include notable hits like A Very Dirty House, The Devil Within: Satgat, and No Players Online, many of which transitioned from festival favorites to commercial and critical successes.
How to Apply
Institutions must submit documentation proving their public or educational status.
- Inquiries: lee@bicfest.org / support@bicfest.org
- Official Website: bicfest.org
