[31st BIFF] Asia's Largest Film Festival Sets Sail on a Tuesday for the First Time Ever (Comprehensive)

Kim Min-ha's solo hosting as it opens today (6th)Stars including Kim Hye-ja, Jeon Do-yeon, Sol Kyung-gu, and Yang Ja-kyung all appeared.Actors Kim Hye-ja, Fan Bingbing, Hwang Jung-min, Hyun Bin, Jung Woo-sung, Woo Do-hwan, Hsieh Yu-chieh, and Son Suk-ku (from top left, clockwise) graced the red carpet at the '31st Busan International Film Festival (BIFF)' held at the Busan Cinema Center in Haeundae-gu, Busan on the afternoon of October 6. /Busan=Reporter Park Heon-woo, Reporter Kim Sung-ryeol[THE FACT|Busan=Park Ji-yoon Reporter] The 31st Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) kicked off on a Tuesday for the first time in its history. Having successfully established its international standing by introducing a competition section last year, the festival is now ready to welcome more audiences along with numerous film industry stars.The opening ceremony of the 31st Busan International Film Festival was held on the evening of October 6 at the Outdoor Theater of the Busan Cinema Center in U-dong, Haeundae-gu, Busan. The event was broadcast live through Naver Chiizik, and Korean actors including Kim Min-ha, who was the sole host, and actors Kim Hye-ja, Jeon Do-yeon, Sol Kyung-gu, Jo In-sung, Jo Yeo-jeong, Hwang Jung-min, Hyun Bin, Jung Woo-sung, Woo Do-hwan, and Son Suk-ku, as well as Asian stars such as Fan Bingbing and Michelle Yeoh, graced the red carpet, heating up the atmosphere.The Busan International Film Festival has become a major global film festival, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Cannes, Berlin, and Venice, after being selected as an 'A-list film festival' by the International Federation of Film Producers Associations (FIAPF). Among these, this year's event is expected to allow the public to choose and enjoy a wider variety of films, as the opening day, originally a Wednesday, has been moved up one day, taking into account the concentration of audience visits and viewings in the first week of the festival.Kim Min-ha, who hosted the event, said powerfully, "Last year, the Busan International Film Festival turned thirty and became stronger, and this year, we are not staying put but taking a step forward towards the world." The photo shows attendees walking the red carpet at the '31st Busan International Film Festival (BIFF)' held at the Busan Cinema Center in Haeundae-gu, Busan on the afternoon of October 6. /Busan=Park Heon-woo reporterActor Kim Min-ha, who took the stage as the sole host for the meaningful occasion, mentioned her acting projects "Pachinko" and "Gyeongseong Creature," saying, "I was really scared to be on this stage today, but I suddenly thought, 'The protagonists of those two works must have been just as scared of the path they were taking for the first time.' However, they walked, and their stories remained. When I think about it, making a movie is like venturing down an unknown path, so I don't think it's any different for everyone here today," she began.He then declared, "This time last year, on this very stage, senior Lee Byung-hun said, 'Every story has a beginning,' and ten days later, at the closing ceremony, Su-hyun replied, 'This is not the end, but another beginning.' Today, I pick up the story from that other beginning. Last year, the Busan International Film Festival turned thirty and became stronger, and this year, we are not staying put but taking a step forward into the world."The Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) has achieved a remarkable feat by being selected as an 'A-list film festival' by the International Federation of Film Producers Associations (FIAPF) this year, placing it alongside major world film festivals such as Cannes, Berlin, and Venice. The photo shows actors Jo In-sung, Jo Yeo-jeong, Sol Kyung-gu, and Jeon Do-yeon, and director Lee Chang-dong walking the red carpet at the opening ceremony of the '31st Busan International Film Festival (BIFF)' held at the Busan Cinema Center in Haeundae-gu, Busan on the afternoon of October 6. /Busan=Reporter Kim Sung-ryeolThe Busan International Film Festival's competition section, now in its second year, boasts an even more robust lineup based on its inaugural success. This year, they will present the 'Busan Award' in five categories to 13 Asian films that demonstrate both high quality and unique individuality. As the winner of the 'Busan Award Grand Prize' will be eligible to submit for the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film, the results are highly anticipated.In this atmosphere, the seven-member jury, including jury president director Zhang Yimou, director Vigano, director Ishikawa Kei, director Jung Ju-ri, and Kazakh actress Samal Yeslyamova and Choi Hee-seo, took the stage and captured attention.Director Jung July said, "I felt the weight of responsibility and a sense of frustration as a jury member, but as I came down today, I thought, 'Let's judge with the anticipation and excitement that there will be films that shake me.' I will be moved by each film, just like the passionate and serious audience of Busan, the most enthusiastic and serious in the world."Additionally, Maggie Gyllenhaal, an actress and director who will serve as the jury president for the competition section of this year's Venice International Film Festival, will visit Korea for the first time. Academy Award-winning director Alfonso Cuarón, and French actresses Isabelle Huppert and Charlotte Gainsbourg will also visit Busan. Furthermore, prominent filmmakers from Korea and abroad who have been active in the global film industry, such as Lee Chang-dong, Na Hong-jin, Kim Jee-woon, and Hirokazu Kore-eda, will grace the film festival.Michelle Yeoh, who became the recipient of this year's Asian Filmmaker of the Year award, said, "It is very meaningful to return to Busan after so many years. Looking back on my film career, one thing is clear: no one can do this job alone." The photo shows her walking the red carpet at the '31st Busan International Film Festival (BIFF)' held at the Busan Cinema Center in Haeundae-gu, Busan on the afternoon of October 6. /Busan=Reporter Kim Sung-ryeolThis year's Asian Film Maker of the Year award goes to Hong Kong actress Michelle Yeoh. This award is presented annually to an Asian filmmaker or organization that has demonstrated the most outstanding achievements in the development of the Asian film industry and culture.After 15 years since "The Lady" (2011), Michelle Yeoh, who visited Busan, began by saying "Thank you" in Korean. She continued, "It is very meaningful to return to Busan after so many years. Looking back at my film career, one thing is clear: no one can do this alone," she said, attributing the success to "the people behind every film who believe in you, encourage you to take on challenges, and stand by you."Kim Dong-ho, former chairman of the Busan International Film Festival, who laid the foundation for the festival, received the Korean Cinema Award. He revealed his unwavering passion, stating, "I plan to continue working to promote Korean cinema," and the audience, including Korean actors, stood up and gave a standing ovation to express their respect. Ann Hui, a Chinese director, screenwriter, and producer, lifted the Camellia Award.In addition to "Beautiful Days, Ahn Sung-ki," which commemorates the legacy of the late Ahn Sung-ki, who passed away last January, in Korean cinema, and "Japanese Animation Special Exhibition: Masterpieces of Madness, 12+1 Anticipated Works of Thrills," which covers the past and present of Japanese animation, and "Michelle Yeoh: All the Time, Everywhere," which highlights the cinematic world of Michelle Yeoh, various special programs are set to enrich the film festival.The finale of the opening ceremony was decorated by the team of the opening film 'Day and Night' (Director Kim Jong-kwan). Director Kim Jong-kwan, who took the megaphone, along with actors Kim Min-ha&Joo Jong-hyuk&Han Sun-hwa&Jang Ryul&Lee Hee-joon&Shim Eun-kyung&Jeon So-young&Kim Dong-hwi, took the stage to greet the audience.Director Kim expressed his excitement, saying, "I'm very excited to stand before the audience who will see the film I worked hard on for the first time, and before the lovely and respected filmmakers who create a wonderful welcome based on many realities. 'Day and Night to Each Other' is a work that aims to talk about the beauty of small and trivial things. As it deals with various aspects of life with a fleeting cross-section, I hope that as the audience discusses the story on their way home after watching the movie, it will lead to another movie."The 31st Busan International Film Festival, which kicked off today, will be held at the Busan Cinema Center and various locations in Busan until October 15. This year's festival will screen a total of 316 diverse films from 59 countries, including 69 films from Community BIFF, across 31 screens in 8 theaters, including the Busan Cinema Center, throughout Busan.[Entertainment Department | ssent@tf.co.kr]jiyoon-1031@tf.co.kr