BUSAN, South Korea —

The 30th Busan International Film Festival (Biff), Asia’s largest film celebration, opened on September 17 with the highly anticipated black comedy No Other Choice by acclaimed director Park Chan-wook.

New Competition Lineup

This year, Biff launched its first full competition lineup featuring 14 films, spotlighting both emerging talents and acclaimed Asian masters.

Following South Korea’s Global Success

Riding the wave of global hits like Parasite (2019), Squid Game (2021–2025), and the animated KPop Demon Hunters (2025), Biff continues to project South Korea’s soft power and promote Asian culture worldwide.

Star-Studded Opening Night

The red carpet was graced by stars including Thai singer Lisa from Blackpink and director Park Chan-wook, as Busan citizens cheered enthusiastically.

Festival Stats

• 241 official entries

• Representing 64 countries

• Featuring 90 world premieres

Competition Highlights

• Chinese director Zhang Lu’s Gloaming In Luomu

• Taiwanese actress Shu Qi’s directorial debut, Girl

• Jury headed by South Korean filmmaker Na Hong-jin

Festival’s Vision

Festival director Jung Han-seok stressed Biff’s dual role:

• Discovering emerging Asian filmmakers

• Showcasing acclaimed Asian masters

Programme director Karen Park emphasized the importance of an Asian festival understanding the region’s cultural and historical context, offering a unique perspective on Asian cinema.

Park Chan-wook’s No Other Choice

Based on Donald Westlake’s novel The Ax (1997), the film follows a laid-off paper industry worker who resorts to extreme measures to secure a job.

• Praised recently at the Venice Film Festival

• Stars Lee Byung-hun (Squid Game) and Son Ye-jin (Crash Landing On You)

• Explores life struggles and contemporary issues like AI’s impact on jobs

• Park stated he relates deeply to the protagonist despite limited industry knowledge, describing the film as staking his entire life on it

Social and Cultural Themes

Films like:

• Hana Korea — a drama about North Korean refugees, starring Kim Min-ha

• The People Upstairs — directed by actor Ha Jung-woo, focusing on noisy neighbors and social conflicts

Honors and Awards

• Sylvia Chang (Taiwanese actress and filmmaker) received the Camellia Award for remarkable contributions to cinema

• Jafar Panahi (Iranian auteur) named Asian Filmmaker of the Year

Emerging Voices and Freedom of Expression

Biff programmers highlighted a surge in Asian short films, where young directors boldly tackle sensitive themes despite ongoing restrictions on freedom of expression in parts of Asia.

International Guests

Notable attendees included:

• South Korea’s Bong Joon-ho

• China’s Jia Zhangke

• French actress Juliette Binoche

• American stars Milla Jovovich and Michael Mann

• Director of KPop Demon Hunters, Maggie Kang

Conclusion

With its revamped format and expanded competition, the 2025 Busan International Film Festival continues to shape the future of Asian cinema and solidify its role on the global stage.