The 30th Busan International Film Festival () was held from September 17 to September 26, 2025, at the Busan Cinema Center in Busan. The festival celebrating its 30th anniversary, opened with the South Korean black comedy thriller film No Other Choice by Park Chan-wook. Na Hong-jin, South Korean film director, producer and screenwriter served as President of the Competition jury.
In celebration of the 30th anniversary, festival started a new competition segment featuring approximately 14 Asian films, and will present various 'Busan Awards' such as Best Film, Best Director, Special Jury Prize, Best Actor for two individuals, and an Artistic Contribution accolade. The current New Currents and Kim Jiseok categories were merged into this updated competitive section. The festival has also broadened its scope, featuring 241 films compared to 224 previously, and adding more screening locations. It also extended the Midnight Passion segment from two to four nights, revamping the Vision category, and bringing back the Asian Cinema 100 project, which originally debuted in 2015.
On September 25, Busan Vision Awards' winners were announced. 2025 Indonesian drama film On Your Lap by Reza Rahadian, a story of a waitress, won four awards including KB Vision Audience Award, Fipresci Award, Bishkek International Film Festival's Central Asia Cinema Award, and the Face of the Future Award.
The festival closed on September 26, with closing ceremony hosted by Claudia Kim. Zhang Lü's Chinese road film Gloaming in Luomu won the best film while Shu Qi won the best director award for her 2025 coming-of-age drama film Girl.
The film registration for the festival began in March 2025 with the closing date for submission fixed for July 2, 2025. To celebrate its 30th anniversary, the festival opened public voting for its popular 'Request Cinema' program on July 15, 2025. While the main screenings took place at the Busan Cinema Center in the Haeundae District, selected films are also shown at various venues across the southeastern port city. The festival programme was announced in a press conference on August 26, 2025.
Although 'The New Currents' section will be merged into the newly created Competition and Vision sections, the festival retained the New Currents Award, recognizing a debut feature by a first-time filmmaker chosen from entries in the Competition and Vision categories. A dedicated jury oversaw the selection for this award. In addition, the festival overhauled its opening and closing ceremonies: the closing event now highlights the awards for the competition section, followed by a screening of the Best Film winner in place of a separate closing title. This year's ceremonies will be helmed by the South Korean director Min Kyu-dong.
To mark the introduction of its first competitive section, the festival has commissioned a newly designed trophy by the Thai filmmaker and installation artist Apichatpong Weerasethakul.
This year's official poster crafted by art director Choi Soon-dae encapsulates 30 years of shared passion between audiences and filmmakers. Featuring a central seal embedded in red sand, it symbolizes the festival's identity and legacy. The dynamic calligraphic "30," brushed in traditional style, bridges heritage with modern design, reflecting both the history and evolving spirit of the festival.
In its 30th year, the festival and the Jiseok Film Institute will host "Forum BIFF" from September 18 to 21 at the Film Industry Center. This four-day event will examine the present and future of Asian cinema amid global content shifts, featuring discussions on industry, policy, criticism, technology, and education. Filmmakers, producers, critics, and scholars from across Asia will gather to address key trends and challenges shaping the region's film landscape.
As part of the festival's commitment to promoting diverse cinematic perspectives, 16 films directed by European women have been officially selected for screening under the program EUROPE! VOICES OF WOMEN+ IN FILM. The program is presented in partnership with European Film Promotion (EFP) and showcases a wide range of genres, styles, and narratives that reflect the richness of contemporary European cinema.
30th Eve
The '30th Eve' event to wish the success of the festival was held on September 16, at the outdoor stage of BIFF Square in Nampo-dong. The event was hosted by South Korean acor Lee Jong-hyuk and South Korean singer, actress, and radio personality, Park Gyu-ri. The event opened with a performance by South Korean singer-songwriter, composer, musical actress and television presenter BADA. Two South Korean film directors from Busan, Yoon Je-kyoon and Jung Woo were honoured with the âÂÂBusanâÂÂs Beloved Film Iconâ award.
Screening venues
Honorary awards
In the opening ceremony, Jafar Panahi, Iranian film director, screenwriter, and editor received 'The Asian Filmmaker of the Year' award for his "significant contribution to the development of the Asian film industry and culture", whereas Chung Ji-young, South Korean film director and screenwriter was conferred with the Korean Film Achievement Award, while the Camellia Award was awarded to Sylvia Chang, Taiwanese actress, singer, and director.
238,697 total visitors attended the festival, including 63,000 people who were part of various events held throughout the festival. 328 films including, official Selection of 241 films from 64 countries and 87 Community BIFF films were screened.
The festival announced seven Jury members for the Competition section on September 3, presided over by Na Hong-jin.
Emerging Asian Filmmakers
The opening ceremony of the festival was held on 17 September at the Busan Cinema Center Outdoor Theater in Haeundae and was broadcast live on Naver TV, CHZZK and YouTube. The event was hosted by actor Lee Byung-hun and attended by several Korean and international film stars, including Milla Jovovich, Tony Leung Ka-fai, Kentaro Sakaguchi, Ken Watanabe, Jafar Panahi, Guillermo del Toro, Kogonada, Sylvia Chang, Michael Mann, and Maggie Kang. Sylvia Chang received the Camellia Award "for breaking boundaries across generations and roles, expanding the path for Asian women in cinema." Jafar Panahi was presented with the Asian Filmmaker Award, and Chung Ji-young received the Korean Film Achievement Award.
Claudia Kim hosted the closing ceremony on September 26, 2025. It featured award presentations by prominent filmmakers, recognizing excellence across various categories. During the ceremony, the award-winning films were also officially presented. It was broadcast live on Naver TV, CHZZK and YouTube.
The special sing-along screening of KPop Demon Hunters, a 2025 American animated musical urban fantasy film will be held at Dongseo University's Sohyang Theater Shinhan Card Hall, Centum Campus, Haeundae District, Busan as an event of the festival.
On August 25, 2025, the festival unveiled a commemorative stamp album featuring personalized stamps, along with a special edition postcard, created in collaboration with the Busan Regional Post Office.
In this edition the following actors will share unknown behind-the-scenes stories and their future plans with the audience:
Netflix in partnership with the Festival will host Creative Asia for its second year on September 20, highlights are:
The following sections will be there in the anniversary edition:
No Other Choice starring Lee Byung-hun and Son Ye-jin, a story of Man-su and "his own war of survival." was selected as opening film of the festival.
The competition section of the festival features 14 Asian films selected for their artistic merit and regional significance. These entries will vie for the 'Busan Awards', which are presented in five categories: Grand Prize, Best Director, Special Jury Prize, Best Actor, and Best Artistic Contribution.
In this section 4 films will be presented by their directors and casts, attending the presentation.
This section showcases the latest works by masters. It now has 33 film, 16 more than last year.
23 independent films from Asia, including Korea, will be showcased in this expanded and revamped section.
This year, the section will screen five films, including four world premieres.
This year's line-up features six seriesâÂÂthree from South Korea and two from Japan and one from Taiwan. 2 episodes of the series will be screened in this section.
It showcases five emerging female Korean directors, each selecting a Korean film that significantly influenced their approach to filmmaking.
As part of the special "Asian Cinema 100" program, the festival will invite masters of Asian cinema to showcase their signature work.
The program includes screenings of films selected by notable individuals from the film and cultural sectors, followed by audience discussions featuring their personal experiences and analytical insights.
This year the festival will present the films of Marco Bellocchio, an Italian film director, screenwriter, and actor in a special programme.
This year the festival will present the films of the French actress Juliette Binoche in a special programme.
The following awards were presented at the 30th edition: