NAVER (035420.KS) has joined the 31st Busan International Film Festival as an official sponsor, providing everything from online live streaming to on-site payment infrastructure.
The company said on the 6th that it plans to expand user touchpoints at the festival, which runs through the 15th of this month, with services ranging from live streaming on Chzzk to short-form Clip content, NAVER Map and Npay payments.
Chzzk, NAVER's streaming platform, will exclusively broadcast the opening red carpet and the opening ceremony live. It will also carry the closing ceremony, outdoor stage greetings and open talk sessions live from the venue. Through "watch together" content hosted by Chzzk streamers, film fans can view the events in real time alongside others.
NAVER Clip will convey the atmosphere of the festival through short-form content. Creators will travel to Busan to introduce key festival venues and local landmarks in short videos, and will also produce reviews of films screened at the festival.
NAVER Map is running a "BIFF Staff Recommended Restaurants" tab within its "Matdong Yeojido" (literally "Delicious Neighborhood Map") dining recommendation feature, listing 49 Busan restaurants recommended directly by festival staff. Users who book one of those restaurants through NAVER during the festival, visit and then write a review can earn up to 4,000 won in reward points.
On-site payments will also be simpler. Official goods shops and markets will be equipped with "Npay Connect," which supports the "Face Sign" facial recognition payment service. NAVER has provided terminal-based digital payment infrastructure at events including the Jecheon International Music & Film Festival, the National Sports Festival and the Grand Mint Festival.
"From stable streaming technology and community-style viewing culture to on-site content from Clip creators and offline payments, we will connect NAVER's various services organically so that users can enjoy the festival in a more multidimensional way," said Joo Gun-beom, entertainment leader at NAVER.
