📬 Hi, it’s BIFF Newsletter! 

Can you believe we’re just a month away from the festival? 

As we flip the calendar, the anticipation is slowly turning into excitement. 

Audiences flock to festivals for many reasons — the festive vibe, the chance to meet filmmakers and stars, and the sheer celebration of cinema. 

But let’s be honest - what really matters are the films, right? 🎬💛

And now, the moment cinephiles worldwide have been waiting for - we are ready to unveil this year’s official selections. 🎉✨

Shall we dive in to discover them? 

💨💨

This year, Busan once again welcomes Korean films set to steal the spotlight. 

‘Korean Cinema Today - Special Premiere’ showcases the very first look at five of the most anticipated commercial features. This section has always drawn attention for its high-profile selections, and this year’s lineup of five titles is no exception. 

🎥 The Great Flood | Director Kim Byung-woo 

A gripping suspense of survival drama under an unprecedented disaster of catastrophic flood! 

The film follows ‘An-na’ (Kim Da-mi), an AI researcher, and ‘Hee-jo’ (Park Hae Soo), a security member of the AI lab in their desperate struggle for survival and rescue. 

🎥 The People Upstairs | Director Ha Jung-woo

A strange dinner gathering sparked by an unusual noise from upstairs. 

Ha Jung-woo stars as ‘Mr. Kim’, further elevating the film with his dual role as director and actor.  

This year, the Vision section is back - bigger and broader than ever. 

📢 Formerly part of Korean Cinema Today, the section has now become its own thing, spreading its wings across Asia!

A roster of 24 films from Korea and abroad will be presented, including 23 world premieres! 

The selection spans new talents and master directors for audiences to experience the dynamic present and evolving future of Asian cinema. 🙌

Have you ever caught yourself mimicking a role while watching a film in your room? 😆

If you could step into an actor’s shoes, which character would you choose?

Every role has its charm, but it’s the scene-stealers who light up the screen with a single appearance and leave the deepest impression.

Six of Korea’s most compelling actors will join Talk-to-Talk Scene Stealers: Steal the Spotlight to share their power of bringing a single single scene to life. 

1️⃣ HYUN Bong Sik - Tha Match (2025), Lobby (2025), and The Old Woman with the Knife (2025)

Strong, magnetic, and impossible to overlook, Hyun Bong-sik brings a commanding presence that lingers long after the credits roll! 💥

2️⃣ KIM Jae-Hwa - Blesser (2024), Miss Fortune (2023), and Smugglers (2023)

 With delicate emotional nuance and an inventive approach to each role, Kim Jae-Hwa delivers characters of rare resonance. 👀

3️⃣ LEE Jun Hyeok - Rebound (2023) and Hitman2 (2025)

From screen to television, Lee Jun Hyeok brings forth an array of compelling characters, turning supporting roles into unforgettable highlights. ✨

 (Left to right) Actors Hyun Bong Sik, Kim Jae-Hwa, and Lee Jun Hyeok

(Left to right) Yoon Kyung Ho, Back Joo Hee, and Lee Sang Hee

4️⃣ YOON Kyung Ho - The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call (2025) and My Daughter Is a Zombie (2025)

From laughter to suspense, Yoon Kyung Ho crafts unforgettable performances, showcasing his explosive power. 💥

5️⃣ BACK Joo Hee - My Name (2021), Your Honor (2024), Hostage: Missing Celebrity (2021), and Noise (2025)

Back Joo Hee shines with a commanding presence on both stage and screen, leaving an indelible mark with every performance. 🎭

6️⃣ LEE Sang Hee - My Name Is Loh Kiwan (2024)

Honouree of Best Supporting Actress at both the Blue Dragon Film Awards, Lee Sang Hee captivates every scene with her extraordinary allure. 👑

‘Talk-to Talk Scene Stealers: Steal the Spotlight’ is a free admission event, and open to all BIFF visitors. 

Further details on the dates and venue will be updated on our website! ✨  

Busan International Film Festival (BIFF)’s Forum BIFF co-organise an international academic forum with Dongseo University. 

💡 The forum is expected to serve as a platform to foster active and engaging conversations among professionals, artists and students! Topics will examine sustainable development and global expansion models of regional visual cultures in the digital, AI and streaming era. 

📅 Date: September 19 (Fri) 

📍 Venue: Busan Film & Audiovisual Industry Center

The newly launched InnoAsia is a global network and business platform! 

It brings together global companies like Amazon (AWS), Google, Tiktok, Midjourney, alongside key institutions such as the Korea Creative Content Agency (KOCCA) to explore how AI is reshaping the future of film and content industries. 

1️⃣  Conference: discussions on the fusion of AI and film, IP and stroytelling 🗣️

2️⃣ AI Boot Camp Series: hands-on workshops on generative AI content creation with free credit 💻✨

3️⃣ WIP Showcase: a preview of AI-driven film and technology projects from Korea and abroad 🎥🔍

4️⃣ InnoAsia Stage & Lounge: live solution demonstrations and open networking opportunities 🤝🎉

5️⃣ Investment Events for Startups: pitches and consultings by connecting companies with investors 💼🚀

From exhibitions, forums, education, investment, and showcases, InnoAsia brings everything together under one roof! 

Let us take a step forward together in shaping the future of Asia’s content industry and creative landscape. 

🌊 Now in BIFF 🌊
📌 Badge Registration
※ Dates vary by type — please check the BIFF official website for details.
📌 ACF Co-Production Support Fund Applications
Jul 1 (Tue) 2025 ~ Deadline Today