Vietnamese cinema expands presence at Busan International Film Festival
WVR - Vietnamese cinema features five works selected in four categories at the 31st Busan International Film Festival (BIFF), taking place in Busan, Republic of Korea, from October 6-15, 2026.
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With 247 works from 59 countries, the 31st BIFF introduces the highest number of films since 2019, including 95 world premieres.
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| BIFF is included among the top 17 film festivals worldwide alongside Cannes, Berlin, and Venice. (Source: Yonhap) |
BIFF Elevates Its Status on the Global Cinema Map
Being included by FIAPF among the top 17 film festivals worldwide alongside Cannes, Berlin, and Venice marks a significant milestone for BIFF after more than three decades of formation and development.
Not only recognized by FIAPF, this year's BIFF is also listed by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences as one of six festivals whose award-winning films are eligible for Oscar consideration in the Best International Feature Film category. These changes are expected to further expand BIFF's influence on Asian and international cinema.
In the main competition category, 14 films from the Republic of Korea, Japan, China, Indonesia, Iran, Taiwan (China), and Uzbekistan compete for the Busan award. The jury consists of seven members, chaired by Chinese director Zhang Yimou.
Korean cinema features many notable works. Director Kim Jong Kwan's The table: Day and night was selected for the opening screening. Films like Dora by July Chung and Still shining, marking actress Kim Hye Ja's return to the big screen after nine years, also attract attention at the festival.
BIFF also hosts numerous exchange programs between artists and audiences, gathering Korean directors and actors such as Lee Chang Dong with the Possible love team, Kim Go Eun, Kim Min Ha, and Shin Min A.
Many international faces are also in attendance, including Maggie Gyllenhaal, Isabelle Huppert, Zhou Xun, and Fan Bingbing. Director Alfonso Cuarón, known for Gravity and Roma, visits the Republic of Korea for the first time to attend BIFF.
Vietnamese Cinema Present in Four Categories
Vietnam has five works selected at BIFF 31, across four categories – the most categories Vietnamese cinema has participated in at this festival to date.
Notably, director Nguyen Hoang Diep's 1982 is selected for the Vision-Asia category. This is one of the categories dedicated to works showcasing notable perspectives and approaches in Asian cinema.
Director Ham Tran's Soi chi do is chosen for its world premiere in the Midnight Passion category. Meanwhile, director Le Bao's Thinh giac and director Nguyen Phan Quang Binh's Ho linh trang si are featured in the A Window on Asian Cinema program, which introduces exemplary works of contemporary Asian cinema.
In the Wide Angle: Documentary Showcase category, director Nong Nhat Quang's film Em be dong bong, em be ngao nghe va em be dau long is selected for screening.
The presence of five Vietnamese works in four programs demonstrates the expanding scope of Vietnamese cinema at one of the region's major film events. It also provides an opportunity for these works to reach industry professionals, distributors, and international audiences.
With a focus on honoring Asian cinema, BIFF 31 awards the Asian Filmmaker of the Year to actress Michelle Yeoh, the first Asian to win the Oscar for Best Actress.
The Camellia Award is given to Hong Kong (China) director Ann Hui in recognition of her long-term contributions to cinema and her efforts in promoting the role and empowerment of women in the industry.
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| Film “Ho linh trang si” featured in the A Window on Asian Cinema program. (Source: BHD) |
Besides film screenings, BIFF also organizes the Asian Contents & Film Market from October 10-13, creating a networking space for filmmakers, investors, and international distributors.
Being recognized by FIAPF as an “A-class” film festival, along with the increase in the number of works and the presence of many international names, is opening a new position for BIFF within the system of major global film events.
For Vietnamese cinema, the participation of five works in four categories also creates additional opportunities to promote Vietnamese films and connect with the international film market.
