BUSAN — The Busan International Film Festival (BIFF), which has built up three decades of history, is sharply expanding its global influence after being elevated to an "A-list" festival, the most prestigious tier in international cinema. It has moved beyond a festival for watching films to become both a gateway to the Academy Awards and a business hub overseeing development, investment and distribution across Asia's film and video industry.
The 31st Busan International Film Festival will run for 10 days from Oct. 6 to 15 at venues across Busan including the Busan Cinema Center, the city of Busan said on the 30th. This year's festival will screen 247 invited films from 59 countries. Kim Jong-kwan's "Day and Night to Each Other" will have its world premiere as the opening film.
The central issue at this year's festival is its elevated standing and its push for global competitiveness. BIFF was officially designated an "A-list festival" by the International Federation of Film Producers Associations (FIAPF) this year. In particular, the winner of the Busan Award Grand Prize, the top honor in the competition section, now receives official eligibility to be submitted for the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film, cementing Busan's position as a genuine gateway to the global film industry.
The festival's industry business offerings are also becoming more extensive. The 21st Asian Contents & Film Market (ACFM), running from Oct. 10 to 13 at BEXCO, will host 64 programs across seven sections covering intellectual property trading, investment and distribution, cinematic AI and new media. Through the Asian Project Market (APM), Busan Story Market (BSM) and InnoAsia, the market serves as a global base spanning everything from the development of original content to technology convergence.
The festival is also making gains in public participation and reach. Neighborhood BIFF, a program embedded in residential districts, is expanding beyond Busan to 17 areas including Yangsan and Seoul. Community BIFF, an audience-driven program, will screen 69 films around the Nampo-dong area, broadening the base of Busan as a city of film.
"Building on the strength we have accumulated over 30 years, we have established ourselves as a festival the world is watching," Mayor Jeon Jae-soo said. "By linking this with the various cultural events that continue through the fall, we will create a dynamic Busan where anyone can enjoy culture."
