Visitors are purchasing tickets at the Busan International Film Festival ticket office in Haeundae-gu, Busan, on October 17, the opening day of the 30th Busan International Film Festival. Yonhap News.

The Busan International Film Festival (BIFF), celebrating its 30th anniversary, began its ten-day run on October 17 with an opening ceremony.

The festival kicked off with pre-ceremony events held from 6 PM at the outdoor theater of the Busan Cinema Center in Haeundae, followed by the official opening ceremony hosted by actor Lee Byung-hun.

The outdoor theater, with a capacity of 5,000, was filled with spectators who applauded and cheered enthusiastically as actors and directors walked the red carpet.

As it marks its 30th edition, the event saw a high level of anticipation from the audience, with renowned figures from the international film industry expected to attend.

Director and actors pose at the press conference for the opening film 'It Cannot Be Helped' of the 30th Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) held at the Busan Cinema Center's main theater in Haeundae-gu, Busan, on October 17. From left: Director Park Chan-wook, Lee Byung-hun, Son Ye-jin, Park Hee-soon, Yum Hye-ran, Lee Sung-min. Yonhap News.

This year's festival will screen a total of 328 films from 64 countries, including the opening film 'It Cannot Be Helped' directed by Park Chan-wook.

The festival has expanded its scope this year by introducing a new competition section.

Fourteen major Asian films have been invited, and the "Busan Award" will be presented in five categories: Grand Prize, Best Director, Special Jury Prize, Best Actor/Actress, and Outstanding Artistic Contribution Award.

Among the invited films are the Japanese film 'Travel and Days' starring Shim Eun-kyung, director Lim Seon-ae's 'Seven O'Clock Breakfast Meeting for the Broken-hearted' starring Suzy, Lee Jin-wook, and Yoo Ji-tae, and director Jang Lu's new film 'The Twilight of Ruomu'.

Shu Qi's directorial debut 'The Angels Wear White' and Sri Lankan director Vimukthi Jayasundara's 'Firefly' will also compete.

A movie fan looks at promotional materials around the Busan Cinema Center in Haeundae-gu, Busan, on October 17, prior to the opening ceremony of the 30th Busan International Film Festival (BIFF). Yonhap News. 

In celebration of its 30th anniversary, the festival has also significantly increased its special programs.

It will spotlight the filmography of Italian master Marco Bellocchio, who is visiting an Asian film festival for the first time, and world-renowned actress Juliette Binoche.

The number of films in the Icons section, which showcases the latest works of master filmmakers, has increased from 17 last year to 33 this year, marking the largest number of invitations in the festival's history.

The Vision section, established to discover emerging Asian filmmakers and foster independent cinema, has been expanded to cover all of Asia. This year, 12 Korean films and 11 Asian films were selected.

A sing-along screening of 'K-Pop Demon Hunters', which achieved record viewership on Netflix as a film and series, will be held for the first time in Korea at the Shinhan Card Hall of Dongseo University's Sohyang Theater.

In addition, the festival is expanding its operations to include master classes where directors and actors share their creative experiences with audiences, Community BIFF, and Neighborhood BIFF.

The Asian Contents & Film Market (ACFM), held during the festival, will take place from October 20 to 23 at the Busan Exhibition and Convention Center (BEXCO) Hall 2 and online.

The festival will conclude its ten-day run on the evening of October 26 at the outdoor theater of the Busan Cinema Center.

Unlike previous years, the closing ceremony will feature prominent filmmakers as presenters, and the award-winning films will be announced on-site.

Yonhap News