Celebrities including “Squid Game” and “The Acolyte” star Lee Jung-jae, “Bogota” star Song Joong-ki, TWICE’s Dahyun, renowned filmmaker Kiyoshi Kurosawa, directors, producers and executives from Korea and other countries graced the opening ceremony of the 29th Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) on Oct 2 in Busan, South Korea.
Before the opening ceremony, hosted by Park Bo-young and Ahn Jae-hong, stars walked the red carpet at the Busan Cinema Center.
BIFF opening ceremony emcees Ahn Jae-hong and Park Bo-young (BIFF) 
Korean actor Gang Dong-won (BIFF) 
TWICE's Dahyun and Jin-young, stars of the film "You Are the Apple of My Eye" (BIFF)
Kim Hee-ae and Jang Dong-gun (BIFF)
Among them were “A Normal Family” film stars Jang Dong-gun, Kim Hee-ae, and Claudia Kim, Han Ye-ri, Yuri, Lee Yoo-young, Jin Seo-yeon, Jin-young, Im Soo-jung,Cha Seung-won, Cho Jin-woong, Ji Chang-wook, Gang Dong-won, Park Jeong-min, Kim Shin-rok and Thai star Billkin of hit movie “How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies.” .
Attending from the Philippines were actor Rocco Nacino and director Brillante Mendozea for the film “Motherland,” and actress Mylene Dizon for the film “The Hearing.”
“Motherland” was selected for Jiseok, “a competition section for established Asian filmmakers with three or more feature films. The two best films are presented with the KIM Jiseok Award. The award was created in commemoration of the late Kim Jiseok, program director who devoted his life to nurture and support Asian cinema.”
“The Hearing” will have its international premiere at BIFF.
Filipino director Brillante Mendoza and actor Rocco Nacino on the red carpet (Screenshot from BIFF video)
Filipino actress Mylene Dizon on the red carpet (Screenshot from BIFF video)
“Welcome to everyone who has visited the Busan International Film Festival. The Busan International Film Festival, the largest film festival in Asia, is finally starting,” said Park Bo-young.
She added, “The Busan International Film Festival is a venue for filmmakers around the world to pursue their dreams. I am also looking forward to seeing what kind of films and filmmakers will be newly discovered and noticed in Busan.”
At the opening ceremony, the late Korean actor and “Parasite” star Lee Sun-kyun was honored with the Korean Cinema Award. Lee Sun-kyun passed away in December 2023.
The late Korean actor Lee Sun-kyun (Screenshot from BIFF video)
The Korean Cinema Award was “presented to cineastes who have made a notable contribution towards the globalization of Korean cinema. This year the award will be presented to the late actor Lee Sun-kyun who passed away in 2023. Lee Sun-kyun was a significant and widely loved actor of his generation, and worked with major Korean directors including Bong Joon-ho and Hong Sangsoo.”
The Asian Filmmaker of the Year award was presented to director Kurosawa “who has led popularity with a large body of films including Cure (1997), Pulse (2001), Bright Future (2002), and Wife of a Spy (2020). This year two of his latest films—Serpent’s Path (2024) and Cloud—will be screened as part of the Gala Presentation section.”
Japanese director Kiyoshi Kurosawa (Screenshot from BIFF video)
The Camellia Award, newly presented this year, was given to production designer Ryu Seong-hie. The winner was selected by the BIFF and Chanel.
Production designer Ryu Seong-hie (Screenshot from BIFF video)
This year, including 54 Community BIFF films, a total of 278 films from 63 countries will be screened at 26 screening rooms in five theaters.
The BIFF will run from Oct. 2 to 11.
Stars on the red carpet at BIFF (Screenshots from BIFF video)