The 31st Busan International Film Festival (BIFF), set to kick off on October 6, will see a gathering of top filmmakers from Korea and around the world, marking a vibrant ten-day celebration. Stars will walk the red carpet with their new films, while renowned actors will engage with audiences through the 'Actors House' and various talk programs, showcasing the key figures who will heat up this year's festival.
Actor Kim Min-ha will host the opening ceremony, while Im Si-wan will lead the closing ceremony, ensuring a smooth flow of events.
The red carpet at the opening ceremony on October 6 at the Busan Cinema Center will feature leading stars from the Korean film industry. Jeon Do-yeon, Seol Kyung-gu, Jo In-sung, and Jo Yeo-jeong from 'Possible Love,' along with Hyun Bin, Jung Woo-sung, and Woo Do-hwan from 'Made in Korea' Season 2, will greet fans to celebrate the occasion. Additionally, Yoo Yeon-seok and Go Ah-sung, appointed as judges for the 'Actor of the Year' award in the Vision-Korea section, will also be present to discover and honor new talents in Korean cinema.
This year's 'Actors House,' a signature program that offers insights into the acting careers and behind-the-scenes stories of contemporary actors, boasts an impressive lineup.
On October 8, Kim Go-eun, who reached ten million viewers with 'The King’s Affection,' and Kim Min-ha, who gained global attention with the 'Pachinko' series, will have an in-depth session with the audience. On October 9, Ryu Seung-ryong, ahead of the release of 'Jeonggane,' and Ju Ji-hoon from 'The Remarried Empress' will share their distinct acting philosophies that have shaped their careers. On October 10, Shin Min-a, who is set for a transformation in 'The Remarried Empress,' will candidly discuss her intense journey of self-reflection, captivating the audience.
International filmmakers and global stars will also make their presence felt. Acclaimed director Alfonso Cuarón, a two-time Academy Award winner for 'Gravity' and 'Roma,' will visit Korea for the first time, conducting a special talk and master class following an IMAX screening of 'Gravity.' His son, Jonas Cuarón, will also attend with his new film 'Gabacho Champion.' Actress Yang Ja-kyung, recipient of the 'Asian Film Person of the Year' award, will return to Busan after 15 years, while Maggie Gyllenhaal will present her directorial work 'The Lost Daughter.' Other notable attendees include director He Huanhua, winner of the Camelia Award, and French national treasure Isabelle Huppert, who will grace the festival.
Charlotte Gainsbourg, an icon of 'French chic,' will also join the festival. Following a special screening of Lars von Trier's 'Melancholia,' she will engage in a special talk with actress Jung Eun-chae and delve into her artistic world through a Cine Class.
Stars from across Asia will converge in Busan as well. From the Chinese-speaking world, actors Xu Qi, Zhou Xun, and Fan Bingbing will attend, alongside Thailand's Davyka Hone and Japan's Masami Nagasawa, Tasuku Emoto, Haru Kuroki, Shunsuke Michieda, and Erika Sawajiri, as well as (G)I-DLE's Shuhua, who is taking on new challenges as an actress, among many others, promising special interactions with the audience.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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