The 30th Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) will celebrate its grand opening on September 17 (Wed), with acclaimed actor Lee Byung Hun as host and Park Chan-wook’s No Other Choice as the Opening Film, setting the tone for this landmark 30th edition. This year’s festival will present a total of 328 films from 64 countries, expanding its reach across seven venues and 31 screens, including the Busan Cinema Center, CGV Centum City, LOTTE CINEMA Centum City, KOFIC Theater, Dongseo University Sohyang Theatre ShinhanCard Hall, Busan Community Media Center, and MEGABOX Busan Theater.
At the Opening Ceremony, BIFF will present the following honors: △ Asian Filmmaker of the Year (Jafar Panahi, Director) △ Korean Cinema Award (Chung Ji-young, Director) △ Camellia Award (Sylvia Chang, Director/Actor/Producer) △ Special Award – BIFF Cinema Master Honorary Award (Marco Bellocchio, Director). The ceremony will once again serve as a meaningful occasion, underscoring the festival’s enduring value and significance, as it connects the past and the future.
This year marks the launch of BIFF’s Competition section, which will showcase 14 outstanding Asian films. The newly established Busan Awards will be presented across five categories, with Na Hong-Jin serving as the Jury President.
In celebration of its 30th edition, the festival presents an extensive selection of special programs. These include ‘Defining Moments of Asian Cinema’; a retrospective on Italian master Marco Bellocchio, ‘Marco Bellocchio: the filmmaker who never stopped raising his fist’; joined by iconic French actress Juliette Binoche, ‘Juliette Binoche: Between Motion and Emotion’; a special dialogue between emerging Korean female directors and their mentors, ‘A Little History of Our Own, ’Take Care of Our Future!’’. In addition, ‘Carte Blanche’ will offer a unique stage where leading cultural figures share personal memories and cinematic insights through their curated selections.
This year’s Forum BIFF will be held at the Busan Film & Audiovisual Industry Center from September 18 (Thurs) to 21 (Sun), serving as a significant platform for dialogue on the future of cinema in times of change under the theme ‘Revisiting the Path of Asian Cinema’. The forum will open with keynote addresses by acclaimed Chinese filmmaker Jia Zhang-ke and renowned Korean director Min Kyu-dong, who has been instrumental in broadening the spectrum of Korean cinema across genres and forms.
BIFF’s industry platform, the Asia Contents & Film Market (ACFM), will take place from September 20 (Sat) to 23 (Tues) at Exhibition Center 2, BEXCO. This year’s market will spotlight AI, global co-productions, and entertainment finance, bringing together leading international experts and institutions to establish a truly global forum for dialogue and collaboration.
The Opening Ceremony will be broadcast live on Naver TV and CHZZK from 18:00 KST on September 17 (Wed), allowing audiences worldwide to join in the excitement. Marking its 30th edition, BIFF will unfold across the Busan Cinema Center and venues throughout the city, presenting 328 films from 64 countries over 10 days.
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