The Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) has officially stepped into its 30th year, marking a new era as it evolves into a competitive international film festival.
Red Carpet: A Star-Studded Celebration
The opening ceremony on September 17 lit up the Busan Cinema Center with a dazzling lineup of stars from Korea and abroad. Lee Byung Hun served as the sole MC, setting the tone for ten days filled with film events across theaters, streets, and cafés.
Actors Jin Wook, Yoo Ji Tae, and Geum Sae Rok, stars of the competition entry Breakfast Meeting for the Heartbroken, graced the carpet, followed by Han So Hee and Jeon Jong Seo from Project Y. Oh My Girl's YooA attended in her acting debut, while BLACKPINK's Lisa made a surprise appearance.
Ha Jung Woo appeared as both actor and director of The Neighbors Upstairs, joined by Kim Dong Wook. International guests included Japanese actor Kento Sakaguchi, Hong Kong star Tony Leung, Hollywood actress Milla Jovovich with director Paul W.S. Anderson, and filmmaker Guillermo del Toro.
The finale of the red carpet was led by the cast and crew of the opening film No Choice (Eojjeol Su Eopda), including Lee Byung Hun, Son Ye Jin, Park Hae Soon, Lee Sung Min, Yum Hye Ran, and director Park Chan Wook.
BIFF at 30: From Showcase to Competition
This year, BIFF officially introduces its new competitive section, the "Busan Awards," with five categories: Grand Prize, Best Director, Special Jury Prize, Best Actor/Actress, and Artistic Contribution. Fourteen Asian films will compete, judged by a panel including director Na Hong Jin, actress Han Hyo Joo, actor Tony Leung, Indian director Nandita Das, Iranian filmmaker Marzieh Meshkini, director Kogonada, and producer Yulia Evina Bhara.
In total, 241 films from 64 countries are being screened, with 90 world premieres, showcasing BIFF's continued growth since its humble beginnings in 1996 in Nampo-dong.
Opening Film: No Choice
Park Chan Wook's No Choice opened the festival, telling the story of a laid-off worker (Lee Byung Hun) who fights to protect his family during a desperate job hunt. The film, blending crime thriller with black comedy, was described by actor Park Hae Soon as "a story where the most dramatic moments collide with the sharpest comedy."
Director Park expressed his gratitude, saying, "It feels surreal to open BIFF with this film. It is truly an honor." Son Ye Jin and the cast received warm applause from audiences, with the film screened outdoors on BIFF's massive open-air screen after the ceremony.
Honoring Film Legends
The evening also included special tributes. The Camellia Award, created by BIFF and Chanel to honor women's contributions to cinema, went to Taiwanese actress-director Sylvia Chang. Director Jung Ji Young received the Korean Cinema Award for his decades of work navigating the industry's democratization. Iranian director Jafar Panahi, known for his Cannes-winning It Was Just an Accident, was presented with the Asian Filmmaker of the Year Award.
Looking Ahead
BIFF Chairman Park Kwang Soo declared, "The 30th celebration is only the beginning. We are still hungry." Lee Byung Hun added, "At 30, both BIFF and I stand at a new starting point. While time changes us, the excitement in front of a film remains timeless."
The 30th BIFF runs until September 26, closing with the Busan Award Grand Prize winner, setting a milestone in its transformation from showcase festival to full-fledged global competition.
