29th Busan International Film Festival Kicks Off with Grand Opening Ceremony

The 29th Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) is gearing up for a grand opening. The main event area around the Busan Cinema Center is bustling with final preparations as the opening ceremony is set to begin at 3 PM on October 2. Staff members are swiftly moving around, conducting rehearsals and final checks.

The 29th BIFF will run from October 2 to October 11 at the Busan Cinema Center. This year, the festival will feature 224 officially invited films, an increase of 15 from last year.

Domestic audiences, braving the sudden chilly breeze, were seen eagerly waiting for the opening ceremony with friends. One attendee, with a shy smile, said, "I didn't book a ticket in advance; I just came here and lined up. I'm a fan of actor Gong Myung, so I decided to come to BIFF." Another attendee from Seoul mentioned, "I plan to come tomorrow and the day after. I've also booked a ticket for the closing ceremony. I'm really looking forward to it." Foreign attendees were also spotted, with Chinese and Japanese visitors lining up early for the opening ceremony, reflecting BIFF's status as Asia's largest international film festival.

The merchandise shop next to the outdoor theater at the Busan Cinema Center also garnered attention. Visitors were quick to purchase BIFF merchandise, ranging from T-shirts to bags. Some attendees were seen waiting for the opening ceremony at cafes and rest areas, while others roamed around the Cinema Center, taking photos and commemorating the event.

The opening ceremony will be held at 7 PM at the outdoor theater of the Busan Cinema Center. As the ceremony time approached, the lines of attendees grew longer. Actors Park Bo-young and Ahn Jae-hong will host the event, which will be broadcast live on Naver TV and YouTube.

Domestic and international press attended the screening of the opening film, Netflix's 'War and Chaos' (directed by Kim Sang-man), which started at 12:30 PM. 'War and Chaos' tells the story of Jong-ryeo (Park Jung-min), the son of the top military family in Joseon, and his servant Cheon-young (Kang Dong-won), who reunite as enemies during the chaos of the Japanese invasion. The film boasts a star-studded cast and is directed by Kim Sang-man.

Notably, this is the first time an OTT (Over-The-Top) film has been selected as the opening film in BIFF's history. The choice to feature a Netflix film as the opening film was made to capture a broader audience.

Various events are prepared for both audiences and filmmakers to enjoy together, including 'Open Talk Outdoor Stage Greetings,' 'Hand Printing,' 'Actors House,' and 'Community BIFF.' Additionally, a special program titled 'Beautiful Person, Lee Sun-kyun' will be held, showcasing the works of the late Lee Sun-kyun, with GV (Guest Visit) sessions also planned.

Kim Seo-yoon, TenAsia Reporter, seogugu@tenasia.co.kr