South Korea’s longest-running international indie game festival is gearing up for its 12th edition, and the details are finally here. The Busan Indie Connect (BIC) Festival Organizing Committee, alongside Busan Metropolitan City and the Busan Information Industry Promotion Agency, has released the BIC 2026 Online Business Briefing on their official YouTube channel, UNIVERSE-INDIE. The video covers everything developers, sponsors, and fans need to know ahead of this year’s event.

BIC 2026 runs on a hybrid format, meaning there are two ways to be part of the action.

The online festival kicks off first, running from August 7 to 28. During this three-week window, players from around the world can try out and vote on indie game submissions through a digital showcase.

For those who want the full experience, the offline festival takes place from August 14 to 16 at BEXCO Exhibition Center 1 (Hall 2) in Busan, South Korea. The three-day in-person event will feature game booths, networking opportunities, and the BIC Conference, which is set on the opening day and focuses on the business and craft side of indie game development.

BIC 2026 OFFICIAL SLOGAN

💥 BUFF YOUR INDIE SPIRIT 💥

부산인디커넥트페스티벌은 인디게임 개발자의 창작이 게이머와 만나 강렬한 에너지를 발산하고, 산업의 새로운 가능성으로 퍼져나가는 무대입니다. 발견과 연결, 성장으로 이어지는 흐름 속에서 인디스피릿은 더욱 선명하고 강력하게… pic.twitter.com/U7aiXlAkZA

— BIC Festival 2026 (@BIC_Festival) March 21, 2026

BIC 2026 is going in with the slogan “Buff Your Indie Spirit” which is a nod to gaming’s concept of a “buff,” or a boost to strength or ability. The idea behind it is to energize the connection between indie creators and their players, and to give the broader indie game ecosystem a meaningful push forward.

BIC 2026 already has seven confirmed early sponsors as of March. Sponsor recruitment is still open and will run until June 26 for brands interested in partnering with the festival. Developers eyeing a submission, sponsors considering a partnership, or fans planning a trip to Busan this August can check the video for the full rundown straight from the organizing committee.