06/10/2026
THE 31ST BUSAN INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL IS OFFICIALLY UNDERWAY!
The Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) has officially opened today, October 6, bringing 10 days of films, premieres, red carpets, special programs and conversations to Busan, South Korea.
Busan, South Korea
October 6-15, 2026
And this isnāt just another year for BIFF.
BIFF has officially been recognized by FIAPF as an āA-listā international film festival, joining the ranks of major festivals such as Cannes, Berlin and Venice.
The festival is also now one of only six festivals recognized by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for its International Feature Film pathway. The winner of BIFFās Busan Award for Best Film will be eligible for submission to the Academy Awardsā International Feature Film category.
THIS YEARāS SCALE
BIFF 2026 is presenting 316 films from 59 countries, including:
⢠247 official selections
⢠95 world premieres
⢠10 international premieres
⢠69 Community BIFF films
The films will be screened across 31 screens in 8 theaters throughout Busan.
THE OPENING FILM
The festival opened with The Table: Day and Night, directed by Kim Jong-kwan, which is making its world premiere at BIFF.
The film follows four couples whose stories unfold around the same cafƩ, with encounters taking place between summer and autumn. The cast includes Kim Minha, Joo Jong-hyuk, Han Sun-hwa, Chang Ryul, Shim Eun-kyung, Lee Hee-jun, Jeon So-young and Kim Dong-hwi.
A STAR-STUDDED OPENING
BIFF is honoring three major figures this year:
Michelle Yeoh - Asian Filmmaker of the Year
Ann Hui - Camellia Award
Kim Dong-ho - Korean Cinema Award
BIFF is also presenting a special program dedicated to Michelle Yeoh, featuring films personally selected by the actress, including Reign of Assassins, Everything Everywhere All at Once, and Sandiwara.
WHATāS COMING
The festivalās Competition section features 14 films from Korea, Japan, China, Taiwan, Iran, Uzbekistan and Indonesia, showcasing new voices and different approaches to Asian cinema.
Beyond the screenings, BIFF will also host Open Talks, Actorsā House, Outdoor Greetings, Master Classes, Cine Classes and Talk-to-Talk events, giving audiences opportunities to meet filmmakers and actors throughout the festival.
Some of the major international names heading to Busan this year include Maggie Gyllenhaal, Alfonso Cuarón, Isabelle Huppert, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Majid Majidi, Lav Diaz and Rintaro, alongside leading Korean filmmakers such as Lee Chang-dong, Na Hong-jin and Kim Jee-woon.
For the next 10 days, Busan becomes the center of Asian cinema once again.
From world premieres and rising filmmakers to legendary actors, red carpets and special programs.. BIFF 2026 has officially begun.
Welcome to Busan. š¬