PRESS SERVICE

The 31st Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) has revealed the official lineup for 2026 Community BIFF.

Launched in 2018, Community BIFF celebrates its 9th edition under the slogan ‘Made by Audience,’ offering participatory programs co-created through voluntary audience engagement. It takes place at the historic birthplace of BIFF and Korean cinema, Nampo-dong, bringing audiences to center stage with unique programs curated based on film lovers' original ideas. These special programs feature not only film screenings but also explore various fields of contemporary culture including dance, music, science, and food. This year’s lineup presents 42 screenings of 69 films (37 features and 32 shorts), including 10 short films made by citizens who received filmmaking training from professional directors as part of the ‘Filmmaking Project.' Additional special events are lined up at Nampo-dong BIFF Square, where daily outdoor screenings and stage greetings will take place.

Master Talk: YIM Soon-rye X PARK Hae-il, RYOO Seungwan X JUNG Doo-hong

Two films will be presented at ‘Master Talk,’ an interactive live-commentary program where film icons reunite with their cast to break down scenes and engage with fans via real-time chat. Commemorating 30 years since her directorial debut, director Yim Soon-rye takes the stage with Park Hae-il for Waikiki Brothers (2001), reflecting on the very beginning of their creative partnership. Meanwhile, marking the 20th anniversary of its release, director Ryoo Seungwan and martial arts director Jung Doo-hong will present The City of Violence (2006) with a live commentary session, sharing three decades of experience in action choreography experience and filmmaking.

(Left) Waikiki Brothers (2001)

(Right)The City of Violence (2006)

(Left) Stop Making Sense (1984)

(Right) We Are All Trying Here (2026)

(Left) Broken Dawn (2025)

(Right) Concerning My Daughter (2023)

(Left) 200 Pounds Beauty (2006)

(Right) Home Sweet Home (2010)

All Day Cinema

‘All Day Cinema’ presents eight feature films in an all-day program exploring Korean society, science and culture, and changes in the film industry through a series of themed screenings. The lineup features ‘Local & Social DAY’ in collaboration with the Busan Council on Social Welfare, presenting The Mutation (2025) with director Shin Su-won and actor Han Hyun-min, alongside Dear Juhee (2025) with directors Jang Juhee and Kim Sung Whan. ‘Science DAY,’ presented in partnership with the Federation of Busan Science and Technology, features Back to the Future (1985), presented by scientific illustrator and cartoonist Galois, and Contact (1997), presented by planetary scientist Sim Chae-kyung, director of the Center for Planetary Exploration at the Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute (KASI). In addition, sci-fi writer Kim Bo-young—the first Korean author nominated for the National Book Awards—will present The Adjustment Bureau (2011). Finally, ‘Bechdel DAY,’ organized in partnership with the Directors Guild of Korea (DGK), features The World of Love (2025) with actor Seo Subin and producer Jenna Ku; Hallan (2025) with director Ha Myung-mi and actor Kim Hyang-gi; and Once We Were Us (2025) with screenwriter Yeom Moonkyoung.

The Cinephiles Strike Back

Four titles will be featured in 'The Cinephiles Strike Back,' a blind double-feature program curated by master cinephiles that invites audiences to engage in vibrant post-screening discussions. This year, the program expands to two editions, featuring four feature films in total. Acclaimed film critic Jung Sung-il and literary critic Shin Hyoung Cheol will team up on stage for an in-depth discussion on the art of criticism, while musician Chang Kiha joins the exciting lineup for a lively exploration of life, cinema, and rock music. The fun lies in discovering which film you’re watching only when the title appears on screen, while the real highlight comes after the screening, when the curators share their thoughts and ideas behind their choices.

Happy-Go-Lucky Night & Outdoor Event

An all-time favorite program known for its fierce ticketing rush, ‘Happy-Go-Lucky Night’ returns again this year. Audiences can settle in with drinks and snacks, spending the night watching movies and enjoying lively conversations. The program lineup includes three films: Teaching Practice: Idiot Girls and School Ghost 2 (2025), Fargo (1996), and My Scary Girl (2006). Nampo-dong BIFF Square will come alive with outdoor stage events and interactive booths, filling the streets with festive energy where the stage and audience become one. Visitors can also take part in hands-on experiences that provide a closer look at filmmaking, the city of Busan, and its culture. Outdoor screenings will also be held free of charge, allowing anyone to join the celebration of the festival.

‘The Night Before BIFF’ will set the stage for the festivities with outdoor events and performances, while ‘Nampo Finale’ will bring the celebration to a close with audiences and performers coming together. Three films will also be screened with no admission fee: Jungle Story (1996), Lump Sugar (2006), and A Melody to Remember (2016).

Ticket reservations open at 2PM on September 17 (Thu). More information is available on the Community BIFF official website (community.biff.kr). Community BIFF will run from October 8 (Thu) to 11 (Sun) at Nampo-dong BIFF Square, MEGABOX Busan Theater, and Catholic Center Space 101.1. The 31st BIFF will take place over 10 days from October 6 (Tue) to 15 (Thu) at the Busan Cinema Center and throughout Busan.

(Left) Teaching Practice: Idiot Girls and School Ghost 2 (2025)

(Right) Fargo (1996) ©1996 Orion Pictures Corporation. All Right Reserved.

My Scary Girl (2006)