BIFF 2025: Celebrating Global Cinema Excellence

The Busan International Film Festival has announced the lineup for its first competition section, featuring 14 titles, with ten being world premieres. The competition includes films from Korea, Japan, China, Sri Lanka, Iran, and other countries. The festival will showcase a total of 241 films from 64 countries, including 90 world premieres. Park Chan-wook's "No Other Choice" will open the festival, and four films will screen in Gala Presentations, including Guillermo Del Toro's "Frankenstein" and Jafar Panahi's "It Was Just An Accident."

The festival will also honor Panahi as the Asian Filmmaker of the Year and present awards to director Chung Jiyoung, Taiwan's Sylvia Chang, and Marco Bellochio. Special Programs will feature retrospectives of Italian director Marco Bellocchio and French actress Juliette Binoche, as well as screenings of landmark works and discussions with leading figures from cinema and culture. The festival will take place from September 17-26 in Busan, with screenings across seven theaters.

The competition titles for BIFF 2025 include a diverse selection of films from various countries, with a mix of world premieres and previously premiered films. The lineup features a range of genres and styles, showcasing the talent and creativity of filmmakers from around the world. The festival promises to be a celebration of cinema and a platform for emerging and established filmmakers to showcase their work to a global audience.