Asia’s premier cinema gathering, the 31st Busan International Film Festival (BIFF), kicks off its 10-day celebration featuring 316 films across 59 countries.
The Red Carpet Lights Up: Asia’s Grandest Film Festival Returns
The international film world turns its eyes to the southern coastal city of Busan as the 31st Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) officially inaugurates its ten-day celebration on the evening of October 6, 2026. Taking center stage at the iconic Busan Cinema Center in Haeundae, this year’s opening ceremony welcomes a glittering convergence of visionary directors, international cinematic luminaries, and A-list acting talent from across the globe.
Guiding the prestigious opening night gala as the sole master of ceremonies is breakout actress Kim Min-ha (Pachinko). Following the traditional red carpet parade, festival leadership—including Chairman Park Kwang-su and Festival Director Jung Han-seok—joined municipal dignitaries to officially declare the festival open.
The roster of stars gracing the opening night represents the pinnacle of contemporary cinema: Korean titans Hyun Bin, Zo In-sung, Jeon Do-yeon, Jung Woo-sung, Son Suk-ku, Sul Kyung-gu, Ryu Seung-ryong, Kim Hye-ja, Woo Do-hwan, and Jo Yeo-jeong, alongside international superstar Fan Bingbing. Celebrated filmmakers including Lee Chang-dong, Kim Jee-woon, Na Hong-jin, acclaimed cinematographer Hong Kyung-pyo, and Academy Award-winning auteurs Hirokazu Kore-eda and Alfonso Cuarón are also in attendance.
31st BIFF: Essential Festival Intel & Milestones
- Festival Dates & Scale: October 6–15, 2026 (10 Days across 8 theaters and 31 screens).
- Official Lineup: 316 films representing 59 countries (Largest edition since 2019).
- Opening Feature: ‘Day and Night to Each Other’ directed by Kim Jong-kwan.
- Competition Stakes: 14 films competing in the main section; the Grand Prize winner qualifies for submission to the 98th Academy Awards (Oscars) for Best International Feature.
- Asian Filmmaker of the Year: Academy Award winner Michelle Yeoh (marking her return to BIFF after 15 years).
- New Section: Expansion into animation with 13 titles and a newly minted ‘All-Night Animation’ midnight screening marathon.
Opening Film: Kim Jong-kwan’s Poetic Ensemble ‘Day and Night to Each Other’
Setting the atmospheric tone for the festival’s 31st edition is the world premiere of the official opening film, ‘Day and Night to Each Other’ (낮과 밤은 서로에게), helmed by master of subtle visual poetry director Kim Jong-kwan.
The ensemble romance captures four different couples crossing paths in a quiet cafe as the seasons drift from late summer into autumn. Boasting an exceptional cast that includes Kim Min-ha, Joo Jong-hyuk, Han Sun-hwa, Jang Ryul, Shim Eun-kyung, Lee Hee-joon, Jeon So-young, and Kim Dong-hwi, the film navigates the tender fragility of human connection, parting, and serendipity with Kim’s signature painterly aesthetic.
The Return of an Icon: Honoring Michelle Yeoh
A centerpiece of this year's edition is the presentation of the prestigious Asian Filmmaker of the Year Award to Oscar-winning legend Michelle Yeoh. Marking her first visit to the Busan International Film Festival in 15 years since presenting The Lady in 2011, Yeoh's enduring legacy will be celebrated through a curated retrospective.
Festival audiences will have the rare privilege of experiencing screenings personally handpicked by Yeoh, including martial arts epic Reign of Assassins, the genre-shattering Everything Everywhere All at Once, classical Indonesian period drama Sandiwa, and her latest comedic feature, My Grandma is the Cube Champion.
Curatorial Expansions and Program Adjustments
Reflecting shifting global cinema trends, BIFF 2026 introduces a significantly expanded commitment to animation. The festival has launched a dedicated 13-film showcase alongside a newly introduced ‘All-Night Animation’ marathon within its popular Midnight Passion strand, giving genre enthusiasts an immersive after-hours experience.
Meanwhile, the intimate Actors House conversational series features an illustrious slate including Kim Go-eun, Kim Min-ha, Ryu Seung-ryong, Ju Ji-hoon, and Shin Min-a. A scheduled session with actor Lee Min-ho for his project The Assassin(s) was regretfully canceled following an escalating public debate regarding historical distortion within the production, leading the production team to withdraw from all festival engagements.
Running through October 15 across 31 screens in eight major cineplexes—including CGV Centum City and Lotte Cinema Centum City—the 31st Busan International Film Festival reaffirms its status as an essential cultural lighthouse, celebrating the transformative power of storytelling on the silver screen.