30th Busan International Film Festival
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 BIFF official poster | |
| Opening film | No Other Choice by Park Chan-wook |
|---|---|
| Location | Busan Cinema Center |
| Founded | 1995 |
| Awards |
|
| Directors | Jung Han-seok |
| Hosted by | |
| Artistic director | Choi Soon-dae |
| No. of films | 240 |
| Festival date | Opening: September 17, 2025 Closing: September 26, 2025 |
| Website | www |
The 30th Busan International Film Festival (Korean: 제30회 부산국제영화제) will be held from September 17 to September 26 at the Busan Cinema Center in Busan. This year the festival will celebrate its 30th anniversary,[1] and in celebration of the 30th anniversary, festival is starting a new competition segment featuring approximately 14 Asian films. It will present various 'Busan Awards' such as Best Film, Best Director, Special Jury Prize, Best Actor for two individuals, and an Artistic Contribution accolade. The current New Currents and Kim Jiseok categories will be merged into this updated competitive section.[2]
The festival will also broaden its scope, featuring 240 films compared to 224 previously, and adding more screening locations. It’s also extending the Midnight Passion segment from two to four nights, revamping the Vision category, and bringing back the Asian Cinema 100 project, which originally debuted in 2015.[2] It will open with the South Korean black comedy thriller film No Other Choice by Park Chan-wook.[3]
Jafar Panahi an Iranian film director, screenwriter, and editor will be awarded the 'The Asian Filmmaker of the Year' award for his "significant contribution to the development of the Asian film industry and culture."[4] Chung Ji-young, a South Korean film director and screen writer will be conferred with Korean Film Achievement Award at the festival.
Overview
[edit]The film registration for the festival began in March 2025 with the closing date for submission fixed for July 2, 2025.[5] To celebrate its 30th anniversary, the festival opened public voting for its popular 'Request Cinema' program on July 15, 2025. While the main screenings will take place at the Busan Cinema Center in the Haeundae District, selected films will also be shown at various venues across the southeastern port city.[6]
- The New Currents Award
Although 'The New Currents' section will be merged in newly created Competition and Vision sections, the festival will retain the New Currents Award, recognizing a debut feature by a first-time filmmaker chosen from entries in the Competition and Vision categories. A dedicated jury will oversee the selection for this award. In addition, the festival is overhauling its opening and closing ceremonies: the closing event will now highlight the awards for the competition section, followed by a screening of the Best Film winner in place of a separate closing title. This year’s ceremonies will be helmed by the South Korean director Min Kyu-dong.
- Trophy
To mark the introduction of its first competitive section, the festival has commissioned a newly designed trophy by the Thai filmmaker and installation artist Apichatpong Weerasethakul.[2][7]
- Poster
This year’s official poster crafted by art director Choi Soon-dae encapsulates 30 years of shared passion between audiences and filmmakers. Featuring a central seal embedded in red sand, it symbolizes the festival’s identity and legacy. The dynamic calligraphic "30," brushed in traditional style, bridges heritage with modern design, reflecting both the history and evolving spirit of the festival.[8]
- Again, Asking the Path of Asian Cinema
In its 30th year, the festival and the Jiseok Film Institute will host "Forum BIFF" from September 18 to 21 at the Film Industry Center. This four-day event will examine the present and future of Asian cinema amid global content shifts, featuring discussions on industry, policy, criticism, technology, and education. Filmmakers, producers, critics, and scholars from across Asia will gather to address key trends and challenges shaping the region’s film landscape.[9]
Jury
[edit]Actor of the Year Award
[edit]
- Lee Jung-eun, South Korean actress
- Teo Yoo, South Korean actor[10]
Opening and closing ceremonies
[edit]Opening ceremony
[edit].jpg)
Lee Byung-hun will host the opening ceremony on September 17, 2025.[11]
Closing ceremony
[edit].png)
Claudia Kim will host the closing ceremony on September 26, 2025.[12]
Program sections
[edit]The following sections will be there in the anniversary edition:
- Competition
- Gala Presentation
- Icons
- Vision
- A Window on Asian Cinema
- Korean Cinema Today - Special Premiere
- Korean Cinema Today - Panorama
- World Cinema
- Flash Forward
- Wide Angle
- Open Cinema
- Midnight Passion
- On Screen
- Special Program in Focus
- Our Little History, Please Take Care of Our Future!
- Decisive Moments in Asian Cinema
Opening film
[edit]No Other Choice starring Lee Byung-hun and Son Ye-jin, a story of Man-su and "his own war of survival." was selected as opening film of the festival.[13]
| English title | Original title | Director(s) | Production country(ies) |
|---|---|---|---|
| No Other Choice | 어쩔수가없다 | Park Chan-wook | South Korea |
On Screen
[edit]This year’s line-up features six series—three from South Korea and two from Japan and one from Taiwan. 2 episodes of the series will be screened in this section.[14]
| English title | Original title | Director(s) | Production country(ies) | Platform / Network |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| As You Stood By | 당신이 죽였다 | Lee Jeong-lim | South Korea | Netflix |
| Dear X | 친애하는 X | Lee Eung-bok and Park So-hyun | South Korea | TVING |
| Last Samurai Standing | イクサガミ | Michihito Fujii and Kento Yamaguchi | Japan | Netflix |
| The Murky Stream | 탁류 | Choo Chang-min | South Korea | Disney+ |
| The Resurrected | 回魂計 | Chao-jen Hsu and Leste Chen | Taiwan | Netflix |
| Romantics Anonymous | 匿名の恋人たち | Shō Tsukikawa | Japan | Netflix |
Special program in focus
[edit]Our Little History, Please Take Care of Our Future!
[edit]It showcases five emerging female Korean directors, each selecting a Korean film that significantly influenced their approach to filmmaking.[15]
| Year | English title | Original title | Director(s) | Emerging woman director |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | Art Museum by the Zoo | 미술관 옆 동물원 | Lee Jeong-hyang | Yoon Ga-eun |
| 2003 | Jealousy Is My Middle Name | 질투는 나의 힘 | Park Chan-ok | Yoon Dan-bi |
| 1999 | Memento Mori | 여고괴담 두번째 이야기 | Kim Tae-yong, Min Kyu-dong | Kim Se-in |
| 2001 | Take Care of My Cat | 고양이를 부탁해 | Jeong Jae-eun | Lim Oh-jeong |
| 2001 | Waikiki Brothers | 와이키키 브라더스 | Yim Soon-rye | Kim Cho-hee |
Decisive Moments in Asian Cinema
[edit]As part of the special "Asian Cinema 100" program, the festival will invite masters of Asian cinema to showcase their signature work.[16]
| Year | English title | Original title | Director(s) | Production country |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | The Day I Became a Woman | روزی که زن شدم | Marzieh Meshkini | Iran |
| 2003 | Goodbye, Dragon Inn | 不散 | Tsai Ming-liang | Taiwan |
| 2003 | Oldboy | 올드보이 | Park Chan-wook | South Korea |
| 2003 | Tie Xi Qu: West of the Tracks | 鐵西區 | Wang Bing | China |
| 2004 | Nobody Knows | 誰も知らない | Hirokazu Kore-eda | Japan |
| 2005 | Election | 黑社會 | Johnnie To | Hong Kong |
| 2006 | Still Life | 三峡好人 | Jia Zhangke | China |
| 2011 | This Is Not a Film | فیلم نیست این | Jafar Panahi, Mojtaba Mirtahmasb | Iran |
| 2018 | Burning | 버닝 | Lee Chang-dong | South Korea, Japan |
| 2021 | Drive My Car | ドライブ・マイ・カー | Ryusuke Hamaguchi | Japan |
Awards and winners
[edit]Awards
[edit]The following awards will be presented at the 30th edition:[17]
- The Asian Filmmaker of the Year
- Korean Film Achievement Award
- Camellia Award
- Busan Award - Best Film Award
- Busan Award - Best Director Award
- Busan Award - Best Actor Award
- Busan Award - Artistic Contribution Award
- New Currents Award
- BIFF Mecenat Award
- Sonje Award
- Actor of the Year
- Flash Forward Audience Award
Winners
[edit]- The Asian Filmmaker of the Year
- Jafar Panahi, Iran[18]
- Korean Film Achievement Award:
- Chung Ji-young, South Korean film director and screen writer.[19]
References
[edit]- ^ Lee Hwa-young (July 26, 2025). "30주년 부산국제영화제 공식 포스터 공개" [Official poster for the 30th Busan International Film Festival released]. Yonhap News (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved July 26, 2025.
- ^ a b c Shackleton, Liz (April 30, 2025). "Busan International Film Festival Launches Competition Section; Overhauls Programming Team". Deadline. Retrieved July 26, 2025.
- ^ Bae Hyo-joo (August 4, 2025). "박찬욱 감독 신작 '어쩔수가없다' 부산국제영화제 개막작" [Director Park Chan-wook's new film, "Inevitable," opens the Busan International Film Festival.]. Newsen (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved August 4, 2025.
- ^ Shackleton, Liz (July 21, 2025). "Jafar Panahi Named As Busan International Film Festival's Asian Filmmaker Of The Year". Deadline. Retrieved July 26, 2025.
- ^ Nadilo, Sebastian (April 18, 2025). "30th Busan International Film Festival – Call for Entry 2025". Asian Film Festivals. Retrieved July 26, 2025.
- ^ Baek Byung-yeul (July 24, 2025). "BIFF opens public voting for 30th anniversary screenings". The Korea Times. Retrieved July 26, 2025.
- ^ Rosser, Michael (April 29, 2025). "Busan reveals major programming and team revamp ahead of 30th edition". ScreenDaily. Retrieved July 26, 2025.
- ^ Lee A-reum (July 24, 2025). "'전통·현대의 조화'…부산국제영화제 30주년 공식 포스터" ['Harmony of tradition and modernity'... Official poster for the 30th anniversary of the Busan International Film Festival]. Newsis (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved July 27, 2025.
- ^ Ahn Jin-yong (August 12, 2025). "30돌 맞은 부국제, '다시, 아시아영화의 길을 묻다' 포럼 개최" [Celebrating its 30th anniversary, the Busan International Film Festival held a forum titled "Again, Asking the Path of Asian Cinema."]. Munhwa Ilbo (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved August 12, 2025.
- ^ Jo Ji-young (August 13, 2025). "이정은X유태오, 부산국제영화제 '올해의 배우상' 심사위원 위촉[공식]" [Lee Jung-eun and Yoo Teo Appointed as Jury Members for the Busan International Film Festival's Actor of the Year Award [Official]]. Sports Chosun (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved August 13, 2025.
- ^ Jo Jee-young (June 28, 2025). "Lee Byung-hun to Host 30th Busan International Film Festival Opening Ceremony". Sports Chosun. Retrieved June 28, 2025.
- ^ Jang Gwang-il (August 11, 2025). "제30회 BIFF 폐막식 사회자에 배우 수현" [Actress Soo-hyun to host the 30th BIFF closing ceremony]. News 1 (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved August 11, 2025.
- ^ Naman Ramachandran (August 3, 2025). "Park Chan-wook's 'No Other Choice,' Headlined by 'Squid Game' Star Lee Byung-hun, to Open 30th Busan International Film Festival". Variety. Retrieved August 4, 2025.
- ^ Ahn Jin-yong (August 11, 2025). "부산영화제, 올해도 OTT와 손잡았다…6편 소개" [The Busan International Film Festival partners with OTT again this year, introducing six films.]. Munhwa Ilbo (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved August 11, 2025.
- ^ Park Sung-jae (August 7, 2025). "부산국제영화제, 신인 여성 감독이 추천한 한국영화 특별기획전" [The Busan International Film Festival presents a special screening of Korean films recommended by emerging female directors.]. Yonhap News (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved August 7, 2025.
- ^ Park Sung-jae (August 8, 2025). "BIFF, 특별전 '아시아영화의 결정적 순간들'서 거장 작품 조명" [BIFF highlights masterful works in special exhibition "Decisive Moments in Asian Cinema."]. Yonhap News (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved August 8, 2025.
- ^ "Awards". BIFF. Retrieved August 3, 2025.
- ^ Naman Ramachandran (July 21, 2025). "Jafar Panahi Named Asian Filmmaker of the Year at Busan International Film Festival". Variety. Retrieved July 26, 2025.
- ^ Jo Jee-young (August 6, 2025). "Jung Ji-young, the oldest active director at 79 years old, has been selected as the winner of the Korean Film Achievement Award at the Busan International Film Festival". Sports Chosun. Retrieved August 6, 2025.