Get ready, cinephiles—the 31st Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) is officially gearing up for a ten-day cinematic celebration running from October 6 to 15 across Busan. During an official press conference held at the Seoul Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Chairman Park Kwang-su, Festival Director Jung Han-suk, Market Director Kim Young-deok, and Deputy Director Park Ga-eun unveiled this year’s ambitious plans, signaling a vital turning point for the revitalization of Korean cinema.
Opening & Closing Films
- Opening Film: Director Kim Jong-kwan’s brand-new feature film, As the Day and Night Collide (낮과 밤은 서로에게), will screen as a world premiere. This omnibus-style drama captures four distinct, evocative stories of people crossing paths in a single location across day and night. The star-studded cast features Kim Min-ha, Joo Jong-hyuk, Han Sun-hwa, Jang Ryul, Shim Eun-kyung, Lee Hee-jun, Jeon So-young, and Kim Dong-hwi.
- Closing Film: The recipient of the competition section’s top prize will close out the festival.
Spotlight on Director Kim Jong-kwa
- A Master of Delicate Sentiments: Director Kim first captured the industry’s attention with his short debut, Polaroid Working Method, winning the Special Jury Prize at the Mise-en-scène Short Film Festival.
- Acclaimed Filmography: His distinctive filmography includes revered works like The Table, Worst Woman, Shades of the Heart, and the Netflix series Persona.
- The Art of the Omnibus: Known for his unmatched ability to weave intricate relationships and emotional nuances into concise, interconnected formats, his signature style is expected to shine brighter than ever in his new opening film.
Festival Programs & Sections
- Official Screenings: Experience diverse worlds through Gala Presentations showcasing major master works, the high-stakes Competition section, the Jiseok & Flash Forward sections highlighting emerging Asian and global talents, Korean Cinema Today, World Cinema, and the diverse shorts/documentaries/animation of Wide Angle. You can also catch fan-favorite Open Cinema screenings under the night sky.
- ACFM (Asian Contents & Film Market): Led by Market Director Kim Young-deok, Asia’s premier film market and forum will run concurrently, bringing together global industry leaders for networking, pitching, and rights deals.
Star-Studded Guest Lineup
- Korean Stars & Creators: Opening night will light up with top actors including Jeon Do-yeon, Seol Kyung-gu, Cho In-sung, Hyun Bin, Woo Do-hwan, Cho Yeo-jeong, Kim Shin-rok, and Jung Sung-il. Esteemed filmmakers like directors Kim Jee-woon, Na Hong-jin, and cinematographer Hong Kyung-pyo will also attend.
- Global Icons: The Dark Knight star and Venice Film Festival competition jury president Maggie Gyllenhaal is making her first-ever visit to Korea with her directorial project Flash Impact. Meanwhile, historic Oscar-winner Michelle Yeoh returns to Busan after 15 years to receive the Asian Filmmaker of the Year award, alongside Camellia Award recipient, director Ann Hui.
- Pan-Asian & International Masters:
- Greater China: Actor-directors Shu Qi and Fan Bingbing, alongside star Zhou Xun.
- Japan: Masami Nagasawa, Kento Yamazaki, Ryusei Yokohama, alongside legendary directors Rintaro and Hirokazu Kore-eda.
- Taiwan & Global: (G)I-DLE’s Yeh Shuhua, auteur Tsai Ming-liang, French icon Isabelle Huppert, Iranian master Majid Majidi, and Philippine visionary Lav Diaz.
Mark your calendars for October—Busan is about to become the absolute center of the global film world!
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