The 30th Busan International Film Festival has revealed its largest lineup ever, including 241 official entries, with renowned Taiwanese actress Shu Qi appearing in "Resurrection," directed by celebrated Chinese filmmaker Bi Gan, and also directing her own film titled "Girl," which enters a newly introduced competition category for this special anniversary event.
The competitive category includes 14 movies from South Korea, Japan, China, Taiwan, Iran, Tajikistan, and Sri Lanka, featuring five first-time directors and six works created by women. Out of these ten competing entries, they will make their global debut at BIFF, such as Isabelle Kalandar’s "Another Birth" (Tajikistan/U.S./Qatar), Nagata Koto’s "Baka's Identity" (Japan), Lee Jeahan’s "By Another Name" (South Korea), Yoo Jaein’s "En Route To" (South Korea), and Han Chang-lok’s "Funky Freaky Freaks" (South Korea).
Other world premiere entries in the competition feature Zhang Lu's film "Gloaming in Luomu" (China), Shigaya Daisuke's work "Leave the Cat Alone" (Japan), Lim Sun-ae's production "Seven O'clock Breakfast Club for the Brokenhearted" (South Korea), Vimukthi Jayasundara's movie "Spying Stars" (France/Sri Lanka/India), and Hassan Nazer's release "Without Permission" (Iran/United Kingdom).
Additional contest submissions feature Shu Qi's first film as a director titled "Girl" (Taiwan), Bi Gan's "Resurrection" (China/France) which features Shu Qi in the cast, Tsou Shih-Ching's "Left-Handed Girl" (Taiwan/France/U.S./U.K.), and Miyake Sho's "Two Seasons, Two Strangers" (Japan).
The contest features these entries competing for Busan honors across five classifications — outstanding movie, direction, performance, special jury award, and creative achievement, with victors being awarded uniquely crafted medals designed by Apichatpong Weerasethakul.
As previously revealed, Park Chan-wook's "The Day I Met You" will commence the festival on September 17th.
The festival's expanded Vision section Re-established as an autonomous unit following years of significant contribution to uncovering South Korean independent filmmaking, it now includes both Vision – Asia and Vision – Korea. Vision – Korea showcases 12 South Korean movies such as Son Kyeong-su's "The Accordion Door," Lee Kwang-kuk's "Beautiful Dreamer," and Jeong Seung-o's "Coming of Age," whereas Vision – Asia highlights 11 cinematic works from various regions across Asia.
The BIFF's Icons category has grown from 17 films in 2024 to 33 this year. Standout entries feature "The Secret Agent," which received top honors for direction and acting at Cannes, "Bugonia" directed by Yorgos Lanthimos, and "A Big Bold Beautiful Journey" helmed by Kogonada with Colin Farrell and Margot Robbie in leading roles. Other notable additions include "Silent Friend" by Ildikó Enyedi featuring Tony Leung and Léa Seydoux, as well as "Below the Clouds" by Gianfranco Rosi.
A Window on Asian Cinema features 24 selections highlighting creations from well-known Asian directors as well as new voices. This includes Christine Haroutounian’s “After Dreaming” (Armenia/U.S./Mexico), Tan Siyou’s “Amoeba” (Singapore/Netherlands/France/Spain/Korea), and Bikas Ranjan Mishra’s “Bayaan” (India). Other entries consist of Zhannat Alshanova’s “Becoming” (France/Kazakhstan/Netherlands/Lithuania/Sweden), Polen Ly’s “Becoming Human” (Cambodia), Yi Jing’s “The Botanist” (China), Lee Hong-chi’s “A Dance in Vain” (China), and Mariko Tetsuya’s “Dear Stranger” (Japan/Taiwan/U.S.).
The showcase of Asian cinema features Anoop Lokkur's film "Don't Tell Mother" (India/Australia), Woo Ming Jin's "The Fox King" (Malaysia/Indonesia), Tannishtha Chatterjee's "Full Plate" (India), Nawapol Thamrongrattanarit's "Human Resource" (Thailand), Tamara Stepanyan's "In the Land of Arto" (France/Armenia), Leon Le's "Ky Nam Inn" (Vietnam), and Fukada Koji's "Love on Trial" (France/Japan).
Completing the Window on Asian Cinema schedule are Hasan Hadi's "The President's Cake" (Iraq/U.S./Qatar), Zhou Jiali's "Raindrops on a Roof" (China), Riri Riza's "Rangga & Cinta" (Indonesia), Hayakawa Chie's "Renoir" (Japan/France/Singapore), Chen Jianhang's "The River That Holds Our Hands" (Hong Kong, China/Vietnam/Korea), Seki Yutaro and Hirase Kentaro's "SAI: disaster" (Japan), Mahde Hasan's "Sand City" (Bangladesh), Cai Shangjun's "The Sun Rises on Us All" (China), Ratchapoom Boonbunchachoke's "A Useful Ghost" (Thailand/France/Singapore/Germany), and Lai Yuqing's "Whisperings of the Moon" (Hong Kong, China/Cambodia/India).
The award ceremony features "It Was Just an Accident" directed by Jafar Panahi, who has won the Palme d'Or at Cannes and is receiving the Asian Filmmaker of the Year Award this year, along with "Frankenstein" by Guillermo Del Toro, "Kokuho" by Lee Sang-il, and "Good News" by Byun Sung-hyun.
The festival enhances its Midnight Passion lineup, showcasing movies rooted in specific genres that combine creative value with wide viewer interest, such as the Japanese mystery film "Exit 8," "Protector" marking the comeback of action hero Milla Jovovich, and Tanigaki Kanji's intense martial arts movie "The Furious."
Competition Films:
"Unapproved" – Hassan Nazer (Iran/UK) International Screening
"The Second Coming" – Isabelle Kalandar (Tajikistan/United States/Qatar) International Debut
"The Identity of Baka" – Nagata Koto (Japan) World Screening
"Under a Different Title" – Lee Jeahan (South Korea) International Debut
"- On the Way To -" – Yoo Jaein (South Korea) World Screening
"The Groovy Weirdos" – Han Chang-lok (South Korea) International Debut
"Girl" – Shu Qi (Taiwan)
"The Dusk in Luomu" – Zhang Lu (China) International Screening
"Leave the Cat Alone" – Daisuke Shigaya (Japan) World Screening
"The Left-Handed Girl" – Tsou Shi-ching (Taiwan/France/U.S./United Kingdom)
"The Resurrection" – Bi Gan (China/France)
"The Seven A.M. Breakfast Club for the Heartbroken" – Lim Sun-ae (South Korea) International Debut
"The Spying Stars" – Vimukthi Jayasundara (France/Sri Lanka/India) International Debut
"The Same Season, Different Strangers" – Miyake Sho (Japan)
- Shu Qi's First Film as a Director, "Girl," Releases Its Initial Trailer Before Entering the Venice Festival (Exclusive)
- Busan International Film Festival Extends Its Vision Segment, Introduces an Innovative Hub