The 2026 Busan International Film Festival kicked off its 31st edition amid a large turnout of film stars and industry figures from Asia and around the world.
The opening ceremony featured a number of prominent names, led by Fan Bingbing, Michelle Yeoh, and Charlotte Gainsbourg, alongside directors Alfonso Cuarón, Kore-eda Hirokazu, Lee Chang-dong, and Na Hong-jin.
Busan Film Festival 2026 kicks off
Busan Mayor Park Heong-joon officially opened the 31st edition, marking the first opening ceremony he has attended since taking office.
For his part, festival director Jung Han-seok revealed the vision adopted by the programming team in selecting this year’s films, explaining that the central question guiding their choices was: “What makes a good film in Busan’s eyes?”
As a result, organizers selected 13 films for the official competition out of thousands of submissions. According to festival organizers, the selected films present diverse and authentic portrayals of contemporary Asian life.
The official competition draws particular attention, as the festival noted that its top prize gives winning films a chance to qualify for Oscar consideration in the Best International Feature Film category.
Zhang Yimou heads the jury
Chinese director Zhang Yimou is serving as president of the official competition jury at the Busan Film Festival this year.
During the event, Yimou spoke about his difficult beginnings before entering the world of cinema, explaining that he worked in a factory for seven years. Afterward, a collection of his personal photographs helped him gain admission to a film school, despite having exceeded the legal age for enrollment.
The jury also includes Chinese director Bi Gan, Japanese director Kei Ishikawa, South Korean actor Moon So-ri, director Julie Jung, Vietnamese producer Tran Thi Bich Ngoc, and Kazakh actress Samal Yeslyamova.
Ann Hui receives the “Camellia” award
The opening ceremony of the 2026 Busan Film Festival honored director Ann Hui with the “Camellia” award.
The festival introduced this award in 2024 in partnership with Chanel, aiming to honor women working in the film industry who help break traditional barriers and strengthen women’s presence in cinema.
Michelle Yeoh wins “Asian Filmmaker of the Year”
Michelle Yeoh was among the most prominent honorees at the opening ceremony, having received the “Asian Filmmaker of the Year” award in recognition of her career and influential presence in world cinema.
Actor Choi Min-sik presented the award to Yeoh, recalling her historic achievement in 2023, when she became the first Asian artist to win the Best Actress Oscar, for her role in Everything Everywhere All at Once.
The ceremony also honored festival founder Kim Dong-ho with the “Korean Cinema Award,” presented by festival chairman Park Kwang-su and director Jung Han-seok.
Fan Bingbing and Charlotte Gainsbourg on the red carpet
The red carpet drew widespread attention with the arrival of Chinese star Fan Bingbing, who received a striking welcome from the crowd and photographers.
French star Charlotte Gainsbourg also attended, representing European cinema, alongside director Alfonso Cuarón and director Jonás Cuarón.
South Korean director Lee Chang-dong appeared alongside the cast of his new film Possible Love.
Actor Lee Jung-jae, star of Squid Game, also took part, along with Japanese director Fukada Koji and a number of leading figures in Asian cinema.
The list of attendees also included names linked to participating films, among them Delish Botin for Soul Whisperers, and Anjali Patil for Selvi, as well as the team behind Nagi Notes.
South Korean actress Kim Min-ha, star of Pachinko, hosted segments of the opening ceremony, and also stars in the opening film The Table: Day and Night.
The 31st edition of the Busan International Film Festival continues to cement its standing as one of Asia’s leading cinematic platforms, bringing together competitions, screenings, and tributes alongside an elite gathering of global film stars and industry figures.
