The Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) unveiled a major retrospective program Friday celebrating three decades of showcasing regional talent.
Titled “Defining Moments of Asian Cinema,” the special program for its 30th edition features retrospective screenings and discussions with leading filmmakers. This initiative continues the festival’s “Asian Cinema 100” project, previously highlighting the best Asian films and best by female directors.
Organizers selected 119 significant films based on a survey of 161 professionals across 34 countries. Ten chosen titles will screen during the festival, running September 17-26 at venues throughout Busan.
Iranian auteur Jafar Panahi, recently awarded the Cannes Palme d’Or and named BIFF’s Asian Filmmaker of the Year, will attend with his clandestine 2011 documentary “This Is Not a Film,” made while under house arrest and banned from working. Panahi holds the unique distinction of winning top prizes at Cannes, Venice, and Berlin.
The retrospective boasts an impressive lineup. Fellow Iranian director Marziyeh Meshkiny presents her 2000 New Currents Award winner “The Day I Became a Woman.” Acclaimed Chinese directors Jia Zhang-ke (“Still Life”), Tsai Ming-liang (“Goodbye, Dragon Inn”), and Wang Bing (“Tie Xi Qu: West of the Tracks”) will participate.
Hong Kong master Johnnie To brings his classic “Election.” Japanese cinema features Ryusuke Hamaguchi’s “Drive My Car” and Hirokazu Kore-eda’s “Nobody Knows,” introduced by its Cannes Best Actor winner Yuya Yagira. Korean cinema is represented by Park Chan-wook’s “Oldboy” and Lee Chang-dong’s “Burning.”
This anniversary celebration coincides with a significant shift for BIFF. After 29 years as a non-competitive event, the festival introduces its first competition section, focusing solely on Asian films.
The total lineup will feature approximately 240 films this year, up from 224 in 2023. A commemorative publication detailing all 119 selected films and featuring critical essays will accompany the landmark program.
