Busan Int'l Film Festival kicks off for star-studded 10-day run

Busan — The 31st Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) commenced on Tuesday for a 10-day run, introducing 316 films from 59 countries to South Korea's southeastern port city. The opening ceremony, presided over by actress Kim Min-ha, was scheduled to occur at the Busan Cinema Center, marking the start of Asia's largest film festival.

Director Kim Jong-kwan's film, The Table: Day and Night, was set to make its world premiere as the inaugural feature. The movie delves into the interconnected lives of four couples attending a cafe during the shift from summer to autumn. Established in 1996 as the nation's inaugural international film festival, BIFF has evolved into Asia's premier film event, providing a stage for unearthing fresh Asian directors and motion pictures.

This year's festival, the most extensive since 2019, will run until October 15, showcasing a varied selection across 31 screens in eight theaters in Busan. A total of 93 films are debuting for the first time at the festival. This year, BIFF has earned the prestigious designation of A-list festival.