Busan International Film Festival Unveils Opening and Closing Films, Celebrates Asian Cinema
Busan, South Korea – The Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) ExecutiveCommittee announced the opening and closing films for the 29th edition of the festival, along with other key details, at a press conference held on September3rd in Busan’s Creative Economy Innovation Center and the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Seoul.
The festival, scheduled to take place from October2nd to 11th, 2024, will showcase a total of 224 films, an 8% increase from last year. An additional 55 films will be screened in the Community BIFF section.
Netflix Film to Open Festival
The opening film is War, Chaos, a new Netflix production directed by Park Chan-wook, who also serves as the film’s producer and screenwriter. StarringKang Dong-won, Park Jung-min, and Cha Seung-won, War, Chaos marks a significant milestone for BIFF, as it is the first time the festival has chosen a streaming platform film for its opening night.
French and Japanese Stars Grace Closing Ceremony
The closing film isAfterlife, directed by Singaporean filmmaker Qiu Jinhao. The film features renowned French actress Catherine Deneuve and Japanese actor Takenouchi Yutaka.
Black澤清 Honored with Asian Filmmaker Award
The festival will also honor Japanese film legend Black澤清 with the annual Asian Filmmaker Award.
Focus on Asian Cinema
The Window on Asian Cinema section will feature a diverse selection of films, including the Chinese film Negative Times Negative Equals Positive and the critically acclaimed Thai film Grandma’s Grandson.
Maintaining Scale Despite Budget Cuts
BIFF Chairman Park Kwang-soo emphasized the festival’s commitment to maintaining its status as Asia’s largest film festival, despite a 50% reduction in government subsidies compared to last year. He assured attendees that the festival would continue to operate on a large scale through self-funding efforts.
Remembering LeeSun-kyun
In a special tribute to the late actor Lee Sun-kyun, who passed away last year, the festival will host a special program titled A Beautiful Person, Lee Sun-kyun.
A Platform for International Collaboration
The Busan International Film Festival remains a vital platform forshowcasing Asian cinema and fostering international collaboration within the film industry. With its diverse programming, prestigious awards, and dedication to celebrating the art of filmmaking, BIFF continues to be a major event on the global film calendar.
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