In May, the Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) announced three key initiatives for its milestone 30th edition.

Firstly, BIFF would reflect on its shared history and solidarity with Asian cinema, addresses current issues, and explores pathways for future growth. To this end, the festival launches a new Competition section for Asian films, expands the Vision section to encompass works from across Asia, presents the Special Program in Focus: Defining Moments of Asian Cinema, and hosts forums that offer an in-depth overview of the Asian film industry.

Secondly, BIFF would seek to help address the challenges currently facing Korean cinema by creating opportunities—within the celebratory spirit of the festival—to inspire greater public interest and positive engagement. The Opening Film, No Other Choice, one of the most anticipated Korean titles of the year, draws significant attention to the Korean film scene. The Special Program in Focus: A Little History of Our Own, ‘Take Care of Our Future!’ features five emerging Korean female filmmakers, each selecting a classic Korean film that has profoundly influenced their cinematic vision, followed by in-depth conversations with the senior directors of the original works. A series of industry forums also provide a platform for professionals to identify core issues and discuss potential solutions.

Thirdly, BIFF would aim to remain truly audience-friendly by inviting films and guests that audiences genuinely wish to see and meet, creating an environment where festivalgoers can fully enjoy and engage with the event. Marking its 30th edition, BIFF offers its most extensive lineup and distinguished guest roster in the festival’s history.

The 30th BIFF presents a total of 241 official selections, an increase of 17 titles from last year. Including screenings from the side program, Community BIFF, the overall total reaches 328, reflecting the festival’s commitment to presenting the most talked-about and anticipated works of the year. To improve accessibility for audiences and guests, BIFF expands its screening venues near the Busan Cinema Center. New additions include Korea’s second-largest IMAX screen at CGV Centum City IMAX, Dongseo University Sohyang Theatre ShinhanCard Hall, and the Busan Community Media Center.

Continuing its legacy as Asia’s leading film festival, BIFF marks its 30th edition with the launch of its Competition section, presenting a fresh perspective on Asian cinema through the eyes of Asia. 14 notable Asian titles will vie for the Busan Awards in five categories—Best Film, Best Director, Special Jury Prize, Best Actor, and Artistic Contribution—with winners receiving a specially designed trophy created by world-renowned filmmaker and installation artist Apichatpong Weerasethakul.

The lineup includes Gloaming in Luomu, the latest work by Zhang Lu, a leading Asian auteur and former Dean of the 2024 CHANEL X Busan Asian Film Academy; Spying Stars by internationally acclaimed Sri Lankan director Vimukthi Jayasundara; Resurrection by promising Chinese cineastre Bi Gan; and Two Seasons, Two Strangers by Miyake Sho, a key figure shaping the new wave of Japanese cinema. Left-Handed Girl, produced by Anora (2024) director Sean Baker and marking the directorial debut of his longtime collaborator and screenwriter Tsou Shih-Ching, has also drawn considerable attention.

Also featured are Girl, the astonishing directorial debut of Taiwanese screen icon Shu Qi; S even O′Clock Breakfast Club for the Brokenhearted by Lim Sun-ae—her third feature starring Suzy, Lee Jin-uk, Yoo Ji-tae, and Keum Sae-rok—following her KNN Audience Award win at BIFF 2019; BAKA’s Identity by Nagata Koto, former assistant director to Iwai Shunji, featuring Let Me Eat Your Pancreas (2017) star Kitamura Takumi; and Without Permission by Iranian filmmaker Hassan Nazer, a creative heir to the inspiration and aesthetics of Abbas Kiarostami’s cinema.

The selection further includes Another Birth, a lyrical and poetic work by emerging Tajik director Isabelle Kalandar; By another name, the third feature by Lee Jeahan, who has been invited to the Korean Cinema Today – Vision section for two consecutive editions; Leave the Cat Alone, the debut feature of Shigaya Daisuke, a promising new talent in Japanese cinema; Funky Freaky Freaks, a vibrant and provocative first feature by Han Chang-lok; and En Route To, a compelling debut by Yoo Jaein, whose sharp yet measured gaze addresses pressing social issues.

For its 30th edition, BIFF expands the Special Programs in Focus to five. ‘Defining Moments of Asian Cinema’ gathers 9 master filmmakers and acclaimed actors who have shaped Asian cinema since BIFF’s inception in 1996, each introducing one of 10 landmark works to audiences. To commemorate the 60th anniversary of Fists in the Pocket, BIFF presents ‘Marco Bellocchio: the filmmaker who never stopped raising his fist’, exploring the enduring legacy of the Italian auteur. ‘Juliette Binoche: Between Motion and Emotion’ spotlights the globally celebrated actor, also a director, whose feature debut, In-I In Motion, made a lasting impression. ‘A Little History of Our Own, ‘Take Care of Our Future!’’ features five emerging Korean female filmmakers, each selecting a classic Korean film that deeply influenced their vision, followed by conversations with the senior directors of those works. Finally, ‘Carte Blanche’ invites leading figures from cinema and culture to present a favorite film and engage in discussion with audiences. Through these programs, BIFF reaffirms its commitment to celebrating films and filmmakers who inspire and connect with audiences.

This year’s Icons section, showcasing the latest works by world-renowned masters, features the most extensive selection in its history. By comparison, the Icons section, which presented 17 titles in 2024, has expanded to 33 titles this year. Notable selections include The Secret Agent, which swept both the Best Director and Best Actor Awards at the Cannes Film Festival; Bugonia by Yorgos Lanthimos, a remake of Save the Green Planet! (2003) that has attracted significant attention; A Big Bold Beautiful Journey, a road movie directed by Kogonada starring Colin Farrell and Margot Robbie; Silent Friend by Ildikó Enyedi, starring Tony Leung and Léa Seydoux; Orphan, the latest film by László Nemes, who gained critical acclaim with Son of Saul (2015); Below the Clouds by documentary master Gianfranco Rosi; Nouvelle Vague by Richard Linklater, which revives the freedom and energy of Godard’s Breathless (1960); The Young Mother’s Home, the latest work by the Dardenne brothers; Sentimental Value by Joachim Trier, winner of the Grand Prize at the Cannes Film Festival; Sirât by Oliver Laxe, an unforgettable odyssey that overwhelms both sight and sound; Mirrors No. 3 by Christian Petzold, a finely crafted psychological drama exploring trauma and loss; Two Prosecutors by Sergei Loznitsa, highly praised for its faithful reenactment of a brutal history; Dreams (Sex Love) by Dag Johan Haugerud, winner of the Golden Bear at the Berlin International Film Festival; Magellan by Lav Diaz, a reflection on the history of violence; and Back Home by Tsai Ming-Liang, a quiet and poetic film.

Each evening, the Open Cinema section draws thousands to the Busan Cinema Center for outdoor screenings of audience-friendly works. The lineup includes The Final Piece, a mystery drama starring Watanabe Ken and Sakaguchi Kentaro; the action crime thriller The Shadow’s Edge, featuring Tony Leung Ka-fai, Jackie Chan, and JUN of SEVENTEEN; Jung Woo and Oh Seong-ho’s AUDITION 109; and Measure in Love, starring Asia’s leading young icons Hsu Kuang-Han and Angela Yuen in a beautiful romance that transcends time. Further highlights include a live-action adaptation of Shinkai Makoto’s animated classic, 5 Centimeters Per Second; the heartwarming family drama Bring Him Down to a Portable Size, starring Shibasaki Ko and Odagiri Jo; the poignant and visually luminous animated feature Arco, produced by Natalie Portman and directed by acclaimed graphic novelist Ugo Bienvenu; and the breathtaking melodrama The Lovers on the Bridge, which reunites Juliette Binoche and Denis Lavant—the legendary pair from Bad Blood (1986)—as a young painter losing her sight and a homeless circus artist.

Having grown into a truly global event beyond Asia, BIFF presents a diverse slate offering a panoramic view of contemporary world cinema. Korean-American Andrew Ahn will present The Wedding Banquet, featuring Youn Yuh-Jung and Han Gi-Chan, and Korean-Canadian Lloyd Lee Choi will introduce Lucky Lu, starring Chang Chen as a delivery biker in New York. The selection also features Sound of Falling, by Mascha Schilinski, which captivated the Cannes Film Festival with its sonic magic and psychological tension; Kaouther Ben Hania’s The Voice of Hind Rajab, a fictionalized account of the tragedy that occurred in Gaza on January 29, 2024; François Ozon’s The Stranger, adapted from Albert Camus’s novel; and Hana Jušić’s God Will Not Help, a compelling female-centered narrative.

The Asian lineup includes festival standouts honored at major international events: The Botanist from China, winner of the Grand Prix of the International Jury for Best Film in the Berlinale Generation Kplus section; The President’s Cake, recipient of both the Golden Camera and the Directors’ Fortnight Audience Award at the Cannes Film Festival; A Useful Ghost, winner of the Critics’ Week Grand Prize at Cannes; Sand City from Bangladesh, awarded the Proxima Grand Prix at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival; andThe River That Holds Our Hands by Chen Jianhang, a Venice Film Festival competition title.

Documentary highlights include The Rose: Come Back to Me, chronicling the journey of the first Korean band to perform at Coachella; The Ozu Diaries, an exceptional film essay offering a rare glimpse into the inner life of Japanese master Ozu Yasujiro; and Tie Xi Qu: West of the Tracks, the monumental debut of Wang Bing, one of the most acclaimed documentarians of our time.

This year’s BIFF stands as a celebration of Korean cinema’s resilience in overcoming its current challenges and its leap toward renewed vitality. The latest commercial films that exemplify the high caliber of contemporary mainstream Korean cinema are being presented in sections such as Gala Presentation and Korean Cinema Today – Special Premiere. Highlights include Byun Sung-hyun’s Good News; The Great Flood, an epic sci-fi disaster blockbuster; Boss, a fresh comedy that subverts the conventions of gangster comedies; The People Upstairs, directed by actor Ha Jung-woo; AUDITION 109, the follow-up to the cult hit Wish (2009); and Project Y, starring Han So-hee and Jun Jong-seo. Independent films and works by emerging directors are also commanding significant attention. The Vision – Korea section features 12 titles, including new works from acclaimed independent filmmakers such as Kim Dukjoong, Lee Kwang-kuk, Yu Eun-jeong, Kim Jinyu, and Choi Seung-woo. As always, Korean filmmakers are flocking to Busan for both screenings and special event programs. Meanwhile, Korean cinematic figures also gathers in Busan for screenings and event programs, including leading Korean auteurs Lee Chang-dong, Park Chan-wook, and Bong Joon-ho.

To commemorate its milestone 30th edition, an unprecedented lineup of legendary filmmakers is gathering in Busan. For the Special Program in Focus: Defining Moments of Asian Cinema, some of Asia’s most celebrated auteurs will be in attendance, including, Jia Zhang-Ke, Johnnie To, Tsai Ming-Liang, Marziyeh Meshkiny, Lee Chang-dong, and Park Chan-wook. Bong Joon-ho will also join the festival for the Special Program in Focus: Carte Blanche.

Marco Bellocchio, regarded as one of the greatest living European filmmakers, is visiting an Asian film festival for the first time in his 80-plus-year life and career. Juliette Binoche — President of the 2025 Cannes Film Festival Jury and a legendary actress who has won acting prizes at Cannes, Venice, and Berlin — returns to Busan in nearly 15 years. Sean Baker, one of the most talked-about names in world cinema after winning both the Palme d’Or at Cannes and the Academy Award in 2024, will attend as the producer of Left-Handed Girl, screening in the Competition section. Finally, Michael Mann — the legendary American filmmaker known in Korea for classics such as Collateral (2004) and Heat (1995) — will make his first-ever visit to Korea for this year’s BIFF.

In the Gala Presentation section, Guillermo Del Toro — the Hollywood master who has won both the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival and the Academy Award for Best Director — is making his first-ever visit to Korea with his latest feature, Frankenstein. One of the most influential figures in Japanese cinema, Korean-Japanese filmmaker Lee Sang-il, will appear alongside the cast of KOKUHO.

The red carpet of the Busan International Film Festival shines brighter than ever with the presence of Asia’s most celebrated stars. From Japan, Nishijima Hidetoshi, Okada Junichi, Ninomiya Kazunari, Oguri Shun, Ayano Go, Yagira Yuya, Yoshizawa Ryo, Kitamura Takumi, and Matsumura Hokuto confirmed their attendance. From Hong Kong, veteran actor Tony Leung Ka-fai returns to Busan after a long absence. Taiwan is represented by Lee Kang-Sheng, Shu Qi, and Guey Lun-mei, along with rising Pan-Asian heartthrob Hsu Kuang-han, who recently completed his military service. Also from Taiwan, acclaimed actress-director Sylvia Chang attends as producer of Measure in Love.

In addition, JUN of the K-pop group SEVENTEEN, Hong Kong’s Angela Yuen, Thailand’s Davika Hoorne, Malaysia’s Lee Sinje, Indonesia’s Dian Sastrowardoyo, and Cambodia’s Chhun Piseth meet Korean audiences.

This year’s Asian Filmmaker of the Year Award goes to revered Iranian director Jafar Panahi, acclaimed for portraying the resilience of individual freedom and existence in the face of censorship and repression. Panahi has earned the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival for The Circle (2000), the Golden Bear in Berlin for Taxi (2015), and the Palme d’Or at Cannes for It Was Just an Accident, becoming the first Asian director to win top prizes at all three of the world’s most prestigious film festivals. The recipient of this year’s Korean Cinema Award is director Chung Jiyoung, who has long advocated for the rights and diversity of Korean cinema. His life and body of work are deeply interwoven with the history of Korea and its film industry, serving as an enduring inspiration for many Korean filmmakers.

This year’s recipient of the Camellia Award is Sylvia Chang, one of Asia’s most acclaimed directors, actors, producers, and screenwriters. Over the past five decades, she has appeared in more than 100 films, inspiring countless filmmakers with her performances. As a director, she has created works of profound emotional resonance and keen insight, including 20:30:40 (2004), Murmur of the Hearts (2015), and Love Education (2017). She has also been a dedicated mentor and producer, actively discovering and supporting emerging filmmakers. Her outstanding contributions have been recognized with numerous honors, including the French Ordre des Arts et des Lettres (Chevalier), the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Asian Film Awards, and the Golden Mulberry Lifetime Achievement Award at the Udine Far East Film Festival, cementing her status as one of the most versatile and influential artists of our time. The recipient of the BIFF Cinema Master Honorary Award is Italian master Marco Bellocchio. His first feature film Fists in the Pocket is regarded as Italy’s response to the French Nouvelle Vague and celebrates its 60th anniversary this year. BIFF presents the Cinema Master Honorary Award in recognition of Bellocchio’s remarkable achievements and his profound contribution to cinema aesthetics over more than half a century.

Master classes — where internationally acclaimed filmmakers and actors share their cinematic vision and creative experiences with audiences — are now expanded to at least five sessions, up from the usual one or two in previous editions. This reflects the exceptional number of masters participating in this year’s festival, including Marco Bellocchio, Michael Mann, Sergei Loznitsa, Jafar Panahi, and Juliette Binoche.

The newly launched Cine Class offers film enthusiasts a rare opportunity to meet some of their most anticipated figures up close and learn directly from them about various aspects of cinema. Guests include Kogonada, who began his career as an audiovisual essayist and has since built a distinctive cinematic vision; Paul W.S. Anderson, creator of the Resident Evil series; Chie Hayakawa, an iconic female filmmaker of Japan’s New Generation; Alexandre Koberidze, celebrated for capturing the magic within everyday life, along with his brother and music director George Koberidze; and La Frances Hui, Film Curator at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA). In addition, long-standing audience favorites such as Talk-to-Talk and Actors’ House return once again this year.

Even if audiences miss the chance to see their most anticipated films due to intense ticket competition, they can still enjoy plenty of lively and memorable encounters beyond the cinema. In addition to an extensive lineup of Open Talks and Outdoor Greetings, Community BIFF — a sidebar program that continually explores how to create engaging festival experiences beyond film screenings — will present special participatory events, held in Nampo-dong during the first week and at the Busan Cinema Center during the second week of the festival. Highlights include the Cinema Trivia Contest Best of Best, along with a lively mix of talks and film-lover activities that create a festive atmosphere.

To emphasize the special significance of its 30th edition, the Opening and Closing Ceremonies will be directed by renowned filmmaker Min Kyu-dong, whose credits include Memento Mori (1998), Herstory (2018), and The Old Woman with the Knife (2025). Bookending this milestone edition, actor Lee Byung Hun will host the Opening Ceremony, while actor Claudia Kim will host the Closing Ceremony. In a notable departure from past editions, the Closing Ceremony will feature leading filmmakers and actors as award presenters, promising a grand and memorable finale to the festival’s most anticipated night.