BIFF to open with biggest lineup of 246 films since 2019

The Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) will kick off next month with a record 246 film selections from 59 countries, marking the largest lineup since 2019, organizers announced on Tuesday. The 31st edition of BIFF is scheduled to run for a 10-day period beginning on October 6 in Busan, South Korea, with 95 films debuting at the festival for the first time.

For the second year in a row, BIFF will feature a Competition section, showcasing 14 films from nations like South Korea, Japan, and Taiwan, with a particular emphasis on Asian cinema.

The Competition category has seen a significant improvement in range and quality of submissions compared to the inaugural year. The Icons section, dedicated to works by renowned filmmakers from around the world, will present 36 films, including Cannes winners such as Cristian Mungiu's "Fjord" and Ryusuke Hamaguchi's "All of a Sudden."

In response to the growing popularity of animated films, BIFF will also host a special exhibition featuring Japanese animations, providing an opportunity for audiences to discover lesser-known works.

Korean cinema enthusiasts will have the chance to witness director Kim Jong-kwan's "The Table: Day and Night" open the festival. Other notable films include July Chung's coming-of-age film "Dora" and "Still Shining," which sees veteran actress Kim Hye-ja returning to the screen after a nine-year absence. Silver screen stars such as Maggie Gyllenhaal, Isabelle Huppert, Zhou Xun, and Fan Bingbing are expected to attend the event.

Prominent filmmakers including Maggie Gyllenhaal, Isabelle Huppert, Zhou Xun, and Fan Bingbing will be present for the festival. Michelle Yeoh, the first Asian recipient of the Academy Award for Best Actress, has been named BIFF's Asian Filmmaker of the Year, while Hong Kong director Ann Hui will receive the Camellia Award for her efforts in empowering women in the film industry. Notable directors attending BIFF include Iranian filmmaker Majid Majidi, Japanese director Hirokazu Kore-eda, and Taiwan-based Tsai Ming-liang.