From October 5th to 14th, the Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) will be held at the Busan Cinema Center. It is the first time in three years without social distancing. This year, BIFF will use 100% of the seats in the movie theaters, like the previous years. It will operate events, parties, and invitations to overseas guests, including the opening and closing ceremonies.

BIFF is available on 30 screens in seven theaters. 243 films from 71 countries will be screened in the Busan Cinema Center, CGV Centum City, Lotte Cinema Centum City, Sohyang Theater, KNN Theater, and the standard inspection room of the Korean Film Council.

The opening and closing ceremonies will be held at the outdoor theater of the Cinema Center. Starting with "Scent of Wind," directed by Hadi Mohaghegh at 8 p.m., on October 5th, and "A Man," directed by Kei Ishikawa at 8 p.m., on October 14th, as the last turn.

This year, BIFF introduces 15 sections. They prepared a variety of special programs, including "Gala Presentation," where masters or actors introduce movies directly and meet audiences, and "A Window of Asian Cinema," which introduces Asian directors' new and topical works (Opening/Closing, Icons, Jiseok, New Currents, Korea Cinema Today, World Cinema, Flash Forward, Wide Angle, Open Cinema, Midnight Passion, On Screen, Special Program in Focus, and Special Screening.)

The three special programs will showcase 10 of the Japanese director's works that have been well received by the media and critics since 2010, called the "Discovering New Japanese Cinema." Additionally, "New Perspectives on 21st Century Documentary," which shows new and bold attempts, unlike traditional 20th-century documentaries, and "In the Mood for Tony Leung," a film chosen by Tony Leung, the winner of this year's Asian Film Awards, will go on.

Various side events around the Cinema Center are enjoyable. It consists of "Open Talk," where movie actors and directors talk about movies at BIFF, "Outdoor Greeting," where audiences can meet actors in person, and "Actors' House," where movie actors and audiences meet to talk about their acting lives and acting philosophies. "Master Class," a master director's lecture, and "Talk-to-Talk," a corner talking deeply about movies are in the waiting line, too.

In addition, BIFF will host "BIFF EVERYWHERE," where you can enjoy movies throughout Busan. This event sets up screens in 16 districts and counties in Busan and allows people to watch movies anywhere. It will be held at 17 locations, including Haeundae Event Square, Busan Citizens' Park, Dadaepo Beach Park, Yongho Starlight Park, Chinatown, and Beomeosa Temple, from October 6th to 13th.

BIFF's movies can be enjoyed online and through mobile reservations. The opening and closing ceremony, Asian Content Awards, and general screen works will open at 2 p.m. on September 23rd and 27th, respectively. They can be booked on the official website and the official “BIFF” application. Tickets can be issued online, mobile, and on-site reservations can be made only for cancellation tickets and remaining seats. More information on BIFF can be found on the website of the BIFF on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

Reporter Lim Hyun-Gyu

Translated by Shin-Ji-Won