Key facts
- The 31st Busan International Film Festival runs from Oct. 6-15, 2026.
- BIFF received "A-list" accreditation from the International Federation of Film Producers Associations.
- The festival features 247 official selections from 59 nations.
- 95 films will have their world premieres at the festival.
- The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences made BIFF eligible for Oscars Best International Feature Film submissions.
- Chinese auteur Zhang Yimou leads the jury for the Busan Award.
The 31st Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) commenced its 10-day run on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, with a significant elevation in its global standing. For the first time, BIFF has been recognized with "A-list" accreditation by the International Federation of Film Producers Associations, placing it among prestigious festivals like Cannes, Berlin, and Venice. This accreditation signifies a bolstered global presence for the South Korean film festival.
This year's event, held in Busan, features 247 official selections from 59 nations, marking the largest slate since 2019. Of these, 95 films will have their world premieres at BIFF. Additionally, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has included BIFF in a select group of six film festivals where the top winner of the Busan Award becomes eligible for submission to the Oscars in the Best International Feature Film category.
A seven-member jury, headed by Chinese auteur Zhang Yimou, will select the winners for the Busan Award from 14 shortlisted films in the Competition section. The festival's opening film is director Kim Jong-kwan's "The Table: Day and Night." Notable attendees and honorees include actors Maggie Gyllenhaal, Isabelle Huppert, Zhou Xun, Fan Bingbing, and filmmakers Alfonso Cuaron, Lee Chang-dong, as well as Michelle Yeoh, who will receive the Asian Filmmaker of Year award, and Ann Hui, who will be honored with the Camellia Award for her contributions to empowering women in film.
The Asian Contents and Film Market, catering to investors and distributors, will also run concurrently.