By Lee Minji
SEOUL/BUSAN, Oct. 15 (Yonhap) -- The Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) is set to conclude later Thursday after attracting more than 200,000 admissions during its 10-day run, organizers said.
The 31st edition of BIFF also drew nearly 77,000 participants for other cinema programs and events, organizers said during a press conference at the Busan Cinema Center in the southeastern port city of Busan.
It marks the first time admissions have surpassed the 200,000 mark since 2015. The overall number of visitors, including moviegoers and program participants, also increased by about 40,000 compared with the previous year.
The year's event featured screenings for 315 films, including 246 official invitations, which marked the biggest slate since 2019. Of the total, 94 works had their world premieres at BIFF.
This Oct. 6, 2026, file photo shows the opening ceremony of the 31st edition of the Busan International Film Festival held at the Busan Cinema Center in the southeastern city of Busan. (Yonhap)
Held as the first BIFF edition with an A-list accreditation by the International Federation of Film Producers Associations, alongside prestigious film festivals, such as Cannes, Berlin and Venice, this year's event brought together prominent filmmakers, actors and industry officials from South Korea and abroad.
Among notable guests were Malaysian actor Michelle Yeoh, who received this year's Asian Filmmaker of Year award, and Hong Kong director Ann Hui who received the Camellia Award for her lifelong contributions to empowering women in the film industry.
Mexican filmmaker Alfonso Cuaron and American actor Maggie Gyllenhaal attended BIFF for their first official visit to the country, while renowned directors Hirokazu Kore-eda and Lav Diaz as well as actors Charlotte Gainsbourg and Fan Bingbing visited Busan.
A pedestrian walks past posters for films screened at the Busan International Film Festival, on display at the Busan Cinema Center in the southeastern city of Busan on Oct. 14, 2026. (Yonhap)
From Korea, Lee Chang-dong, the auteur behind the Venice-winning "Possible Love" and its cast, including Jeon Do-yeon and Sul Kyung-gu, as well as directors Na Hong-jin and Kim Jee-woon attended the film fest.
The closing ceremony is set for 7 p.m. and will be hosted by Korean actor Yim Si-wan.
The winners of the Busan Awards in the main Competition section, decided by a seven-member jury led by Chinese auteur Zhang Yimou, will be announce during the event.
Beginning this year, the top winner of the Busan Award will be eligible for submission to the Oscars in the Best International Feature Film category.
Alongside film screenings and events, the Asian Contents and Film Market for film investors and distributors attracted more than 30,000 visitors, with 339 companies from 32 countries holding exhibitions.
This Oct. 7, 2026, file photo shows an outdoor event for the Korean film "Possible Love" taking place at the Busan Cinema Center in the southeastern city of Busan on the second day of the Busan International Film Festival. (Yonhap)
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