Busan International Film Festival opens 31st edition with 247 invited films
Version 5: The report now covers the opening ceremony itself, the awards presented to Michelle Yeoh, Ann Hui and Kim Dong-ho, and the new rule that the top Busan Award winner gains Academy Award submission eligibility; the cancellation of events for the film “Assassins” and the withdrawal of its lead actors, previously a single-source item, are now confirmed by additional outlets.
In short
The 31st Busan International Film Festival opened on the evening of Oct. 6 at the Busan Cinema Center in Haeundae district and runs through Oct. 15. Organisers invited 247 films from 59 countries, with 316 screenings in all including the community programme. Actor Kim Min-ha hosted the opening ceremony and stars in the opening film, Michelle Yeoh received the Asian Filmmaker of the Year award, and events tied to the film “Assassins” were cancelled amid a history-distortion controversy.
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The 31st Busan International Film Festival opened on the evening of Oct. 6 at the outdoor theatre of the Busan Cinema Center in Haeundae district and runs through Oct. 15, according to Yonhap, Hankook Ilbo, Kyunghyang Shinmun, Sports Chosun and Dong-A Ilbo. Organisers invited 247 films from 59 countries, and 316 films are being screened in all including the community programme, Yonhap, Maeil Business, Chosun Ilbo, Hankook Ilbo and NoCut News reported. Yonhap said the festival uses eight theatres and 31 screens. [ 2 , 3 , 5 , 20 , 26 , 34 , 36 , 37 ]
Maeil Business reported that actor Kim Min-ha hosted the opening ceremony alone and stars in the opening film, director Kim Jong-kwan’s “Days and Nights Are Each Other’s,” which had its world premiere in Busan. Kim was quoted as saying she felt grateful when first approached and wondered whether she could do it well: “I have pressure and nerves, but since it is a big stage with many filmmakers and audiences, I am more excited.” Dong-A Ilbo quoted her remark at the ceremony that last year’s festival marked its 30th anniversary and that this year’s celebration seemed even larger. [ 3 , 20 , 34 , 36 , 37 ]
Hankook Ilbo, Kyunghyang Shinmun and NoCut News reported that the opening film was presented at a press conference the same day. Kim Jong-kwan was quoted as saying he hoped it would be “a film that understands others.” Kyunghyang Shinmun reported that programmer Jung Ji-hye defended the selection, calling it the work of a creator who had refined his own world, and that limited space and dialogue-driven drama are central to it; NoCut News carried a similar assessment. Kyunghyang Shinmun noted criticism that the opening film is smaller in scale than the previous two years’ openers and quoted Jung as saying its meaning and value are “by no means small.” [ 7 , 9 , 20 , 26 , 37 ]
At the ceremony, Hong Kong director Ann Hui received the Camellia Award, given to filmmakers who have raised the standing of women in the industry, Yonhap, Hankook Ilbo and NoCut News reported; Hankook Ilbo and NoCut News said former festival chairman Kim Dong-ho received a Korean film contribution award. Maeil Business reported that Michelle Yeoh, named Asian Filmmaker of the Year, received her trophy at the ceremony on her first Busan visit in 15 years. Chosun Ilbo reported that Yeoh, director Zhang Yimou, who heads the competition jury, and Alfonso Cuarón, visiting Korea for the first time, were among the guests, and Dong-A Ilbo also listed Fan Bingbing and Isabelle Huppert among visiting film figures. [ 2 , 3 , 20 , 24 , 26 , 36 , 37 ]
Maeil Business, Kyunghyang Shinmun, Asia Economy and Dong-A Ilbo reported the festival was designated an A-list festival by the International Federation of Film Producers Associations, which Asia Economy and Dong-A Ilbo said places it alongside Cannes, Berlin and Venice. Hankook Ilbo, Kyunghyang Shinmun and Asia Economy reported that the winner of the top Busan Award, to be announced at the Oct. 15 closing ceremony, gains eligibility to be submitted for the Academy Award for international feature film. Maeil Business said the closing ceremony will be hosted by actor Im Si-wan. [ 3 , 5 , 20 , 26 , 35 , 36 , 37 ]
Events related to the film “Assassins” were cancelled. Hankook Ilbo and Kyunghyang Shinmun reported that actors Yoo Hae-jin and Lee Min-ho, who had been due to attend the opening ceremony, withdrew citing safety as criticism from conservative circles grew, and that an outdoor stage greeting scheduled for Oct. 7 and Lee Min-ho’s appearance in the Actors House talk programme were also cancelled. Kyunghyang Shinmun reported the festival said the cancellation followed a request from production company Hive Media Corp citing the safety of audiences and guests and the smooth running of events; Korea Economic Daily carried an item saying the film had cancelled all festival-related events, including the opening red carpet and the outdoor stage greeting. Kyunghyang Shinmun also reported that at the opening film’s press conference, programmer Jung Ji-hye declined a question about the controversy, saying the session should focus on the film. [ 6 , 20 , 26 ]
Why it matters
Several outlets describe Busan as Asia’s largest film festival, and Maeil Business, Kyunghyang Shinmun, Asia Economy and Dong-A Ilbo report it was designated an A-list festival by the International Federation of Film Producers Associations, placing it alongside Cannes, Berlin and Venice. Hankook Ilbo, Kyunghyang Shinmun and Asia Economy report that this year’s top Busan Award winner gains eligibility to be submitted for the Academy Award for international feature film, a change the outlets link to the festival’s rising standing. Over ten days the event brings hundreds of films and international guests to Busan, alongside an industry market and audience programmes.
Key facts
- The 31st Busan International Film Festival opened on Oct. 6 and runs through Oct. 15 in Busan. [ 2 , 3 , 20 , 21 , 26 , 34 , 36 ]
- Organisers invited 247 films from 59 countries, and 316 films are being screened in total including the community programme. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 5 , 20 , 26 , 36 , 37 ]
- The opening ceremony took place at the Busan Cinema Center in Haeundae district, according to Yonhap, Hankook Ilbo, Kyunghyang Shinmun, Sports Chosun and Dong-A Ilbo. [ 2 , 20 , 26 , 34 , 36 ]
- Actor Kim Min-ha hosted the opening ceremony and stars in the opening film, director Kim Jong-kwan’s “Days and Nights Are Each Other’s,” which premiered in Busan. [ 3 , 9 , 20 , 26 , 34 , 37 ]
- Michelle Yeoh, named Asian Filmmaker of the Year, attended the festival for the first time in 15 years, and Alfonso Cuarón visited Korea for the first time. [ 3 , 24 , 26 , 36 , 37 ]
- Chinese director Zhang Yimou heads the competition jury. [ 3 , 26 , 37 ]
- Maeil Business, Kyunghyang Shinmun, Asia Economy and Dong-A Ilbo reported the festival was designated an A-list festival by the International Federation of Film Producers Associations. [ 3 , 5 , 26 , 35 , 36 , 37 ]
- The winner of the top Busan Award, to be announced at the Oct. 15 closing ceremony, gains eligibility to be submitted for the Academy Award for international feature film. [ 20 , 26 , 35 ]
- Events related to the film “Assassins” were cancelled, and actors Yoo Hae-jin and Lee Min-ho withdrew from the opening ceremony. [ 6 , 20 , 26 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- The 31st Busan International Film Festival opened on Oct. 6 and runs until Oct. 15 in Busan. [ 2 , 3 , 20 , 21 , 26 , 34 , 36 ]
- Organisers invited 247 films from 59 countries, with 316 screenings in total including the community programme. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 5 , 20 , 26 , 36 , 37 ]
- The opening ceremony was held at the Busan Cinema Center in Haeundae district, in the outdoor theatre. [ 2 , 20 , 26 , 34 , 36 ]
- Actor Kim Min-ha hosted the opening ceremony and stars in the opening film. [ 3 , 20 , 34 , 36 , 37 ]
- The opening film is “Days and Nights Are Each Other’s,” directed by Kim Jong-kwan, which had its world premiere in Busan. [ 3 , 9 , 20 , 26 , 37 ]
- Michelle Yeoh received the Asian Filmmaker of the Year award, visiting Busan for the first time in 15 years. [ 3 , 24 , 26 , 36 , 37 ]
- Hong Kong director Ann Hui received the Camellia Award, and former festival chairman Kim Dong-ho received a Korean film contribution award. [ 2 , 20 , 37 ]
- The festival was designated an A-list festival by the International Federation of Film Producers Associations. [ 3 , 5 , 26 , 35 , 36 , 37 ]
- The winner of the top Busan Award gains eligibility to be submitted for the Academy Award for international feature film. [ 20 , 26 , 35 ]
- Events related to the film “Assassins” were cancelled, and actors Yoo Hae-jin and Lee Min-ho withdrew from attending the opening ceremony. [ 6 , 20 , 26 ]
Still unclear
- The number of world premieres at this year’s festival. Yonhap reports 93 world premieres among the official invitations, while Maeil Business reports 95 world premieres plus 10 international premieres; the documents do not reconcile the two figures.
- The number of films in the competition section. Yonhap and Asia Economy report 13 competition films, Hankook Ilbo reports 14; the documents do not explain the difference.
- Who decided the cancellation of the “Assassins” events and why. Kyunghyang Shinmun reports the festival said the cancellation followed a request from production company Hive Media Corp, which cited the safety of audiences and guests; Hankook Ilbo reports the actors withdrew citing safety as criticism from conservative circles grew.
- Actor Im Si-wan is to host the Oct. 15 closing ceremony. Only Maeil Business states this; other documents mention the closing ceremony but not its host.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- Kukmin Ilbo publishes a preview saying the festival opens with 316 films from 59 countries over ten days. [ 1 ]
- Yonhap publishes its report on the festival’s opening day. [ 2 ]
- Maeil Business publishes its opening-day report on the lineup and guests. [ 3 ]
- Korea Economic Daily publishes its report on the festival’s A-list status and guests, carrying an item that the film “Assassins” cancelled all of its festival-related events. [ 6 ]
- Seoul Shinmun publishes director Kim Jong-kwan’s comments on the opening film. [ 7 ]
- Newsis publishes photos from the opening film’s press conference at the Busan Cinema Center. [ 9 ]
- The opening ceremony of the 31st Busan International Film Festival begins at the Busan Cinema Center. [ 2 , 20 , 36 ]
- Chosun Ilbo publishes photos from the opening ceremony red carpet. [ 11 ]
- Hankook Ilbo reports the opening ceremony, the awards presented and the cancellation of “Assassins”-related events. [ 20 ]
- Kyunghyang Shinmun reports the opening under the shadow of the “Assassins” controversy. [ 26 ]
- NoCut News reports the festival opened with 316 works from 59 countries and quotes the festival’s leadership and award winners. [ 37 ]
- Closing ceremony is scheduled to announce the competition awards, including the top Busan Award, whose winner gains Academy Award submission eligibility. [ 3 , 20 , 26 , 35 ]