[Sportschosun Reporter Ahn So-yoon] The 31st Busan International Film Festival, which is set to feature a star-studded lineup, will offer audiences even broader viewing opportunities this year.
A press conference for the 31st Busan International Film Festival was held on Sept. 1 at the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Jung District, Seoul. Park Kwang-su, chairman of the board; Jung Han-seok, executive director; Kim Young-deok, head of the market committee; and Park Ga-eon, deputy festival director, attended the event.
The 31st Busan International Film Festival has taken a new leap forward with its elevated international standing. This year, it was officially selected by the International Federation of Film Producers Associations (FIAPF) as an A-list film festival, placing it alongside major global festivals such as Cannes, Berlin, and Venice. Park said, "I have worked on three festivals through this year. After taking office in February 2024, I looked closely at the festival. Since I had been away from the festival for a long time, I examined in detail what had changed over the years. But the direction and concept we set when the festival was first created were still intact. I found it remarkable that the Asia-centered non-competitive festival and the premiere section had remained unchanged." He added, "Since then, we have been faithfully carrying out our role of discussing and supporting the future of Asian cinema. We switched to a competitive festival last year, and we are seeing gradual results."
This year's official selection includes a total of 247 films. That is six more than last year and the largest number since 2019. Including the 69 titles in the linked Community BIFF program, the total number of screenings rises to 316.
The organizers also explained why the opening day, which had previously fallen on Wednesday, was moved up by one day to Tuesday. Jung said, "We took into account that most festivalgoers plan to visit and watch films during the first week after the opening." He added, "We wanted to expand viewing opportunities for audiences who come to the venue."
The opening film is Kim Jong-kwan's "The Table: Day and Night." It is a dialogue-driven drama marked by delicate direction, thoughtful observation, and warm humor. The cast includes Kim Min-ha, Joo Jong-hyuk, Han Sun-hwa, Jang Ryul, Shim Eun-kyung, Lee Hee-jun, Jeon So-young, and Kim Dong-hwi. Jung explained the selection by saying, "The first reason is Kim Jong-kwan's delicate directing. Since the actors perform in a limited space, audiences will naturally make guesses, which makes direction extremely important. Director Kim created the sense and atmosphere of the space very well. The second is the brilliant ensemble of the cast. All eight actors delivered excellent performances, and I believed acting plays a major role in this film. The third is the multi-casting, which allows us to look ahead to the future and vision of Korean cinema. I believe it will be appealing to the general public as well."
The competition section consists of 14 films produced in South Korea, Japan, China, Taiwan, Iran, Uzbekistan, and Indonesia. Four of them are debut works by first-time directors, while four are directed by women, adding greater diversity and fresh perspectives.
Jung said, "At last year's press conference, I said the Busan International Film Festival wanted to become a site for overcoming the crisis in Korean cinema." He continued, "We have not fully recovered yet, but I believe an optimistic atmosphere has formed. This year, we want BIFF to play an intermediary role that can lead to a boom and revival in Korean cinema. Many strong films are lined up across the various Korean cinema sections, and we expect broad participation from film professionals."
He also said, "The opening ceremony red carpet will feature actors Jeon Do-yeon, Sul Kyung-gu, Zo In-sung, Minho, Hyun Bin, Jung Woo-sung, Woo Do-hwan, Cho Yeo-jeong, Lee Hee-jun, Son Suk-ku, Jung Sung-il, Yoo Jae-myung, Ryu Seung-ryong, Kim Do-yeon, Kim Jae-won, Cho Yi-hyun, and Kim Hye-ja." He urged audiences coming to Busan to look forward to the event.
As in last year, global stars are expected to gather in Busan this year as well, adding to the excitement. Maggie Gyllenhaal, who starred in Christopher Nolan's "The Dark Knight" and proved her directorial talent with "The Lost Daughter," will visit Korea for the first time to present her new film "Flesh Impact." Michelle Yeoh, the Malaysian world-renowned actress and the first Asian actress to win the Academy Award for Best Actress, will also come to Busan for the first time in 15 years to receive this year's Asian Filmmaker of the Year award. French screen legend Isabelle Huppert will also bring her new film "Tomorrow Has a Name."
Park Ga-eon, deputy festival director, said, "From the Chinese-speaking world, director and actor Shu Qi, who won the Busan Award for Best Director at last year's Busan International Film Festival, will visit Busan, along with leading Chinese actresses Zhou Xun and Fan Bingbing. From Japan, Masami Nagasawa will be joined by Tasuku Emoto, Haru Kuroki, Ryusei Yokohama, Kento Yamazaki, Kōhei Matsushita, Erika Sawajiri, Ryuhei Maruyama, and Eita Nagayama. Yeh Shu-hua of the girl group (G)I-DLE, who is taking on a new challenge as a film actress, will also meet audiences, along with Michelle Mao and Jin Ha, who are expanding their careers across Asia and Hollywood."
Actors' House, which has drawn attention every year for its rich lineup, will feature six of the leading Korean actors of our time: Kim Go-eun, Kim Min-ha, Ryu Seung-ryong, Shin Min-a, Minho, and Ju Ji-hoon. They will share stories behind their filmographies, acting philosophies, and works with audiences.
Meanwhile, the 31st Busan International Film Festival will run for 10 days from Oct. 6 to 15 at the Busan Cinema Center and surrounding areas.
Ahn So-yoon, antahn22@sportschosun.com
This article has been translated by GripLabs Mingo AI.
