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Busan International Film Festival

The Busan International Film Festival (BIFF), formerly the Pusan International Film Festival (PIFF), held annually in Haeundae-gu, Busan, South Korea, is one of the most significant film festivals in Asia.[1] The first festival, held from 13 to 21 September 1996, was also the first international film festival in Korea.

Location

Busan, South Korea

13 September 1996 (1996-09-13)

2023

New Currents and others

269 in 2023

International

www.biff.kr

Busan-Gukje-Yeonghwaje

Pusan-Kukche-Yŏnghwache

The main focus of the BIFF is to introduce new films and first-time directors, especially those from Asian countries. Another notable feature is the appeal of the festival to young people, both in terms of the large youthful audience it attracts and through its efforts to develop and promote young talent.


In 1999, the Pusan Promotion Plan (renamed Asian Project Market in 2011) was established to connect new directors to funding sources. The 16th BIFF in 2011 saw the festival move to a new permanent home, the Busan Cinema Center in Centum City.[2][3]

1st Busan International Film Festival, 13–21 September 1996

Gala Presentation: Gala Presentation screens new master cineastes, films, and premieres.

Icons: A showcase of the latest films of contemporary iconic filmmakers from around the world.

Jiseok: A competition section for established Asian filmmakers with three or more feature films. The two best films are presented with the KIM Jiseok Award. The award was created in commemoration of the late Kim Jiseok, program director who devoted his life to nurture and support Asian cinema.

A Window on Asian Cinema: A showcase of new and/or representative films by Asian filmmakers.

New Currents: The only international competition section featuring the first or the second feature films by future directors of Asian cinema.

Korean Cinema Today: Selected Korean feature films are shown in three sub-sections, Special Premiere, Panorama and Vision. These three sub-sections recognise the current production trend of Korean cinema and anticipate its future.

Korean Cinema Retrospective: Revisiting the history of Korean cinema by spotlighting films of a certain notable director or films with a significant theme.

World Cinema: Presentation of new works by filmmakers along with films that help understanding the recent trends in world cinema.

Flash Forward: This section is a collection of first or second films of up-and-coming filmmakers from non-Asian countries.

Wide Angle: A section showing short films, animation, documentaries, and experimental films.

Open Cinema: outdoor screening venue where a collection of new films, combining both art and mass popularity, are shown.

Midnight Passion: A collection of horror, SF, and thriller films that are certain to keep diehard film fans awake throughout the night.

On Screen: Presentation of highly anticipated or most talked about drama series of the year.

Special Programs in Focus: A retrospective and special showcase of films of a certain notable director or genre.

The Busan International Film Festival is organised in various sections[11]

Asian Film Market

Asian Cinema Fund

Asian Film Academy (AFA) is an educational program where prospective filmmakers and established directors from Asia gather to deliberate and prepare for the future of Asian cinema.

List of film festivals in South Korea

Cinema of Korea

Busan International Comedy Festival

Busan International Fireworks Festival

Culture of South Korea

Official website

at IMDb

Busan International Film Festival