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Manila Bulletin devider Entertainment devider Movies and TV devider Stars grace opening ceremony of 30th Busan International Film Festival

Stars grace opening ceremony of 30th Busan International Film Festival

Published Sep 18, 2025 12:56 pm  |  Updated Sep 18, 2025 02:03 pm
Stars at the opening ceremony of the 30th Busan International Film Festival include (clockwise from top left) Sylvia Chang, Lisa, Keum Sae-rok, Han So-hee and Jeon Jong-seo, Maggie Kang, and Son Ye-jin and Lee Byung-hun (Photos courtesy of BIFF)
Stars at the opening ceremony of the 30th Busan International Film Festival include (clockwise from top left) Sylvia Chang, Lisa, Keum Sae-rok, Han So-hee and Jeon Jong-seo, Maggie Kang, and Son Ye-jin and Lee Byung-hun (Photos courtesy of BIFF)

The opening ceremony of the 30th edition of the Busan International Film Festival (BIFF)  became a star-studded affair. 

BIFF opened on Sept. 17 in Busan, South Korea, drawing actors, directors in Korea and other countries. 

The opening ceremony was held at the Busan Cinema Center with the Korean movie “No Other Choice” as the opening film for the 30th BIFF. 

Gracing the ceremony were Lee Byung-hun, Son Ye-jin, Park Hee-soon, Lee Sung-min and Yeom Hye-ra, the stars of the film, and director Park Chan-wook. 

"No Other Choice" cast and director at the opening ceremony of the 30th Busan International Film Festival (Photo courtesy of BIFF)

2025 Camellia Award

Taiwanese actress and director Sylvia Chang received the 2025 Camellia Award during the opening ceremony of the BIFF. 

Claus Oldager, managing director of Chanel Korea, presented the award to Chang, who was honored for her contributions as a woman in the film industry. 

(The moments of) challenge became the drive that kept me going,” said Chang. 

In addition, the Asian Filmmaker of the Year Award  was given to Iranian director Jafar Panahi while the Korean Cinema Award went to director Chung Jiyoung.

Sylvia Chang (Photo courtesy of BIFF)
Sylvia Chang (Photo courtesy of BIFF)
Sylvia Chang (Photo courtesy of BIFF)
Sylvia Chang (Photo courtesy of BIFF)

Red carpet 

The red carpet ceremony was held at the Busan Cinema Center, attracting a slew of stars. 

Attending the ceremony were BLACKPINK’s Lisa, Han So-hee, Maggie Kang of "K-Pop Demon Hunters," Kentaro Sakaguchi, Yoon-kyung, Ryu Kyung-soo, Go Kyung-pyo, Gong Min-jeung, Lee Soo-hyuk, Yeon Woo-jin, Han Hyo-joo, Kim Joo-ryeong, Kim Min-ha, Ye Soo-jung, Jang Gyu-ri, Bae Jong-ok, Kim Sung-chul, Lee Hye-young, Yoo Tae-oh and Shim Soo-bin. 

Also seen were Keum Sae-rok (who attracted attention with her dress), Lee Jin-wook, Lee Ji-won, Yoo Ji-tae, Jeon So-ni, Lee Moo-saeng, Lee Yoo-mi, Jang Seung-jo, Kim Yoo-jung, Kim Young-dae, Kim Do-hoon, Lee Yeol-eum, Rowoon, Shin Ye-eun, Park Seo-ham, Park Ji-hwan, Lee Kyu-hyung, Jo Woo-jin, Hwang Woo-seul-hye, Ha Jung-woo, Kim Dong-wook, Jung Woo, Jung Soo-jung, Shin Seung-ho, Shim Eun-kyung, Jeon Jong-seo, Yoo Ah, Jung Young-joo, Lee Jae-gyun, Hong Kyung, Kim Sung-soo, Na Hong-jin and Jung Ji-young.  

Opening ceremony of the 30th Busan International Film Festival (All photos courtesy of BIFF)
Lisa at the opening ceremony of the 30th Busan International Film Festival (Photo courtesy of BIFF)
Lisa at the opening ceremony of the 30th Busan International Film Festival (Photo courtesy of BIFF)

This ten-day festival will be held across the city, including at the Busan Cinema Center, Centum City, and Nampo-dong. It will screen 241 official films from 64 countries, 87 Community BIFF films, and 32 Neighborhood BIFF films. The official selection has increased by 17 from last year, and 90 films will be making their world premieres.

The 30th BIFF, running from Sept. 17 to 26, will screen 328 films. 

The official selection will showcase 241 films from 64 countries. Of the total, 99 films will have its world and international premiere, 90 films will have world premiere, nine for international premiere. The community BIFF will feature 87 films.

Opening ceremony of the 30th Busan International Film Festival (All photos courtesy of BIFF)
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