[Dispatch | Busan=Yu Ha-neul] "We no longer stay in one place, but take a step toward the world stage." (Kim Min-ha)

The Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) has made a leap forward as a major global film festival. It was officially selected this year to the International Federation of Film Producers Associations (FIAPF) 'A-list'. It now stands shoulder to shoulder with world-renowned film festivals such as Cannes, Berlin, and Venice.

The status of the competitive section has also risen. The winning work of the 'Busan Awards', newly established last year, is granted eligibility for submission to the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film. A new pathway has opened for Asian cinema to advance to the world stage.

The 31st Busan International Film Festival opened on the afternoon of the 6th at the Busan Cinema Center in Haeundae-gu, Busan. BIFF, which has leaped into a major global film festival, announced a new beginning with enriched works.

Actor Kim Min-ha led the opening ceremony as sole MC. He said, "Senior Lee Byung-hun said at last year's opening ceremony that 'every story has a beginning,'" and "Today, we continue the story from yet another beginning," signaling a strong start.

◆ Red Carpet | Stars of the World Gather in Busan

Global filmmakers converged on Busan. Renowned directors and actors illuminated the opening ceremony. The audience welcomed them with enthusiastic cheers.

Global stars including Isabelle Huppert, Fan Bingbing, Shunske Michieda, Natsuki Deguchi, and Sho Kasamatsu walked the red carpet. I-DLE's Shuhua attended a film festival for the first time as an actress in the Taiwanese film "Happily Ever After."

Masters followed. Director Hirokazu Koreeda visited the festival with "Look Back." Alfonso Cuarón and Jonas Cuarón visited Korea for the first time. They will participate in IMAX screening of "Gravity," special talks, and master classes during the festival.

The "Hope" team also graced the red carpet. Director Na Hong-jin, along with Jo In-sung, Hwang Jung-min, and Yum Moon-seok, were present. Director Lee Chang-dong, Jun Do-yeon, Seol Kyung-gu, and Cho Yeo-jeong greeted the audience with "A Possible Love."

The finale was decorated by the opening film "Day and Night to Each Other" team. Kim Min-ha, Sim Eun-kyung, Lee Hee-joon, Joo Jong-hyuk, Han Sun-hwa, Jang Yool, Jeon So-young, Kim Dong-hwi, Director Kim Jong-gwan, and Producer Baek Kyung-suk greeted the audience with bright smiles.

◆ A-List | BIFF's Status

The biggest change for this year's Busan International Film Festival is entry into the 'A-list film festival' category. It has now established an official standing as a major global film festival recognized by the International Federation of Film Producers Associations.

Its scale has also grown. This year, 247 films from 59 countries were officially invited. The total number of films to be screened reaches 316. They will meet audiences at 8 theaters with 31 screens in the Busan area.

The competitive section features 13 works by globally acclaimed directors. Competitions include works by directors Im Ha-yeon and Kim Jung-hoon, Iran's Majid Majidi, Japan's Nanako Hirose and Shuichi Okita, and Taiwan's Li Yunchen.

'Busan Awards' across five categories await them. The grand prize-winning film is granted eligibility for submission to the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film.
The Busan International Film Festival has now taken a new starting line as a major global film festival, transcending its role as an Asian cinema hub.

Jury President Zhang Yimou said, "Korean films have recently garnered attention not only in Asia but worldwide. There is much to learn. The stage for Asian cinema must not be limited to Asia. I look forward to seeing many excellent films."

◆ Awards | Hui An-wha·Yang Ziqing·Kim Dong-ho

Awards followed. First, the Camellia Award is presented to filmmakers who have contributed to elevating the status of women in the film industry. It was established in 2024 by the Busan International Film Festival and Chanel.

This year's recipient is Director and Producer Hui An-wha. She is a leading female director in Hong Kong cinema. She has depicted the everyday life of Hong Kong society and the joys and sorrows of life beneath its surface. In particular, she has portrayed stories of women who are easily marginalized with a warm gaze.

Director Hui An-wha said, "I am now 80 years old. Making films is still difficult," and "That is why, now that I have been making films for a long time, I feel the value of this award even more deeply. I am pleased to receive the award in Busan."

This year's Asian Filmmaker of the Year Award went to Yang Ziqing. Yang Ziqing said, "The Busan International Film Festival enables Asian cinema to have a powerful voice on the world stage and serves as a beautiful bridge between East and West."

She added, "No one can accomplish this alone. There are people who believed in me, encouraged me to take on challenges, and stood by my side," and "Director Zhang Yimou and Producer Hui An-wha made me smile even on the longest and most difficult days."

The Korean Film Achievement Award was given to Kim Dong-ho, former chairman of the Busan International Film Festival. He is one of the founders of the Busan International Film Festival in 1996. He has worked for over 30 years on the growth and development of BIFF.

Former Chairman Kim Dong-ho said, "I sincerely thank all domestic and foreign filmmakers who have visited and loved the festival for 31 years to reach this point," and "I believe that the support and affection made who I am today. Going forward, I will continue to work on introducing Korean films."

◆ Opening Film | Day and Night to Each Other

The opening film is "Day and Night to Each Other" by Director Kim Jong-gwan. It is a romance film depicting four couples meeting at a café between summer and autumn. Through pleasant and understated dialogue, it captures different moments of love.

The "Day and Night to Each Other" team took the stage and greeted the audience directly. Director Kim Jong-gwan introduced the work, saying, "I wanted to talk about the beauty of small and trivial things. I captured various aspects of life through fleeting moments."

He continued, "Standing before filmmakers who create beautiful illusions based on reality, who are lovely and admirable, I am very excited," and "I hope the audience will have conversations with each other on their way home. I hope that conversation becomes another film."

Sim Eun-kyung said, "This is the first time I have stood on stage since attending the Busan International Film Festival," and "I think the outdoor screening and the atmosphere of the film will complement each other well. It would be wonderful if the audience enjoys it."

The opening film then unfolded on the large outdoor screen at the Busan Cinema Center. Approximately 5,000 spectators filled a cool autumn night with cinema. They shared the beginning of a ten-day festival.

Meanwhile, the Busan International Film Festival runs through the 15th. The closing ceremony will be hosted by actor Lim Si-wan.

<Photos=Song Hyo-jin reporter>