From Busan to the World: Beamafilm at IFLA WLIC 2026
News
|
Beamafilm
|
13/08/2026
Global connections, local insights and a shared vision for the future of digital libraries.
Beamafilm was delighted to join library leaders, technology providers and information professionals from around the world in Busan, South Korea, for IFLA WLIC 2026.
The annual World Library and Information Congress, organised by the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions, is one of the most important international meeting places for the library sector. This year's congress brought the global library community together under the theme “Libraries Powering Sustainable Futures.”
For Beamafilm, however, the greatest value of IFLA is often found outside the formal programme: in conversations between librarians, distributors, publishers and technology partners from very different markets.
Different markets, shared challenges
Libraries around the world operate in very different cultural, economic and technological environments, but many of the conversations we had in Busan returned to remarkably similar questions.
How can libraries make their growing digital collections easier to discover? How can they deliver compelling digital experiences without adding complexity for patrons? How can digital resources better reflect the languages, cultures and interests of increasingly diverse communities? And, importantly, how can libraries ensure that the resources they invest in are actually being discovered and used?
These are questions that continue to shape Beamafilm's development.
As streaming becomes an increasingly established part of the digital library, we believe the next step isn't simply providing more content. It's making high-quality content easier to discover, simpler to access and more meaningfully integrated into the library experience.
Strengthening connections across Asia-Pacific
Busan was also an important opportunity to spend time with our partners and colleagues across the region.
We particularly enjoyed catching up with the teams from iGroup Asia Pacific as we continue to build our relationship and expand Beamafilm's presence across Asia.
With its extensive network and deep knowledge of individual markets, iGroup provides valuable local insight into how libraries and educational institutions across the region are approaching digital resources. We're excited about the opportunities ahead as we work together to introduce more communities to Beamafilm.
It was equally wonderful to reconnect with our friends at PressReader and continue conversations about the evolving digital library landscape and potential areas for future collaboration.
Bringing diverse stories to more communities
International gatherings like IFLA are also an important reminder that a global streaming platform needs to think locally.
For Beamafilm, international expansion isn't simply about making the same collection available in more countries. It's about understanding regional priorities, improving accessibility and helping libraries connect people with films and stories that reflect a genuinely diverse world.
That includes independent and world cinema, documentaries and culturally diverse storytelling — but increasingly it also means thinking about language, discovery, accessibility and how streaming content integrates with the other digital services libraries already provide.
These conversations will continue to inform the evolution of Beamafilm as we expand throughout Asia-Pacific and into new international markets.
Next stop: London 2027
We returned from Busan energised by the conversations, new connections and possibilities ahead.
A sincere thank you to everyone who took the time to meet with us, and to IFLA and its hosts for bringing the international library community together in Busan.
And there is something particularly special waiting next year: IFLA will celebrate its centenary in 2027, with the World Library and Information Congress heading to London, the city where IFLA was founded in 1927.
Busan gave us plenty to think about. We look forward to continuing the conversation — and seeing many of you in London in 2027.
news,Beamafilm,educational documentaries,streaming for libraries,academic film,public libraries,scholarly content,educational streaming,critical thinking,university media,video for research,library video platform,academic streaming content,documentary distribution,accessible scholarship,Australian EdTech,academic video platform,streaming,libraries,eResource,eCollections, Library eResource, Library eCollections,eResources, eVideo, digital video