[BIFF Press Release] The Line-up of the ‘30th Eve’ and ‘Community BIFF Road’ is Unveiled!
2025. 09. 15 09:38
Press Release |2025.09.15.
The Line-up of the ‘30th Eve’ and ‘Community BIFF Road’ is Unveiled!
Community BIFF, a film festival made by audience, opens with the ‘30th BIFF Eve’ on September 16 (Tues), followed by dynamic programs spanning films, dance, music, literature, and science from September 18 (Thurs) to 21 (Sun).
Actors LEE Jong-hyuk & PARK Gyu-ri to Host the 30th BIFF Eve
‘Busan’s Beloved Film Icon’ Recipients: Director YOUN Je-kyoon & Actor JUNG Woo
Performance by Singer BADA
[A panorama of the 29th BIFF Eve]
The 30th BIFF Eve will take place on September 16 (Tues), 19:00 KST at Nampo-dong BIFF Square to celebrate the successful opening of the Festival. Actors Lee Jong-hyuk and Park Gyu-ri will host the event, with the participation of BIFF guests and officials from the Busan Metropolitan City and Jung-gu District governments. Director Youn Je-kyoon and actor Jung Woo will receive the ‘Busan’s Beloved Film Icon’ award, while eight filmmakers from the ‘Busan Filmmaker Residency in Jung-gu’ project will also be recognized. The evening will open with a performance by singer BADA, the diva of Korea, marking the start of the Festival.
A Festival Built with Audiences Through Participation and Experience!
Up-Close Encounters and In-Depth Conversations with Beloved Artists!
Romeo + Juliet Comrades: Almost A Love StoryKids Return
The Mantis: Original SinAUDITION 109
This year’s programs reflect on the Festival’s legacy while charting its future through carefully curated events. A total of 87 titles (42 features and 45 shorts) will screen at Megabox Busan Theater, Catholic center Space101.1, and BIFF Square.
Among the highlights are retrospective screenings of Comrades: Almost a Love Story, which marked the very beginning of BIFF; Kids Return; and Romeo + Juliet to bring nostalgia to original festival audiences. The diverse program extends to an AI-revived film, Laugh Wars: Return of the Kings of Comedy featuring the late Ku Bong-seo and Seo Young-choon, a film from the golden age of Korean Cinema, In the Mood for Korean Cinema, and special screenings marking the 30th anniversary of K-Arts.
Stage and talk programs will also be varied. Director Byun Young-joo, actors Ko Hyunjoung, Jang Dongyoon, Lee EL, and Cho Seongha will join the Outdoor Talk, along with an Outdoor Talk with actor-director Jung Woo, director Oh Seong-ho, actors Shin Seong-ho and Jung Soo-jung; and A Night of MiMi SISTERS's Stories Outdoor Talk at Nampo-dong BIFF Square. Additional events include Outdoor Stage Greetings with director Jang Jae-hyun, actors Park Jeong Min, Kim Nam-gil, Kim Jung-hyun, Gang Dongwon, Ha Jiwon, and director Lee Myung-sae; and a Book Talk with screenwriter Chung Seo-kyung and Kim Haery, a critic of Cine21 at BNK Busan Bank Art Cinema, offering candid conversations spanning film and literature.
On the final day, September 21 (Sun), the Festival will conclude with the Nampo Finale, featuring diverse audience-engaging events, including the Community BIFF Audience Awards, and a Citizen Film Quiz, alongside a live performance by the Busan-born band Say Sue Me.
The flagship experiential event at BIFF Square, Community BIFF Road, returns this year as an interactive program open to all citizens. Highlights include a film-shooting experience zone operated by the Im Kwon Taek College of Film & Arts at Dongseo University; AI photo creation, games, and DIY crafts by the Busan Youth Community; an analogue counseling booth by the Busan Council on Social Welfare; as well as trial zones of traditional martial arts and laser tag. Led by local organizations and institutions, these initiatives will transform the heart of Nampo-dong into a vibrant festival ground beyond cinema.
Community BIFF at Busan Cinema Center
Community BIFF also extends to the Busan Cinema Center in Haeundae. Daytime programs during the Festival’s second week are designed to enhance audience satisfaction. Strengthening ties with local communities, the programs will include Specialty Coffee City Busan: Barista Stories with world barista champions from Busan; Project 30: Directors’ Talk celebrating the 30th anniversary of K-Arts; a Filmmakers’ Collection Auction; and a Cinema Quiz Championship.
The 2025 Community BIFF is an audience-driven festival that showcases the various ways audiences can engage with and enjoy the events. Further details on programs and schedules are available at the official Community BIFF website (community.biff.kr).
