The 31st Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) has unveiled the lineup for its Master Class, Cine Class and Special Talk programs.
Master Class brings together four directors reflecting on their creative work. Na Hong-Jin, who drew global attention this year with “Hope,” will discuss the roots of his creative vision. Filipino auteur Lav Diaz and French director Bertrand Mandico, known for his distinctive visual style, round out the international side of the lineup. Japanese animation veteran Rintaro, director of “Galaxy Express 999” (1979) and “Metropolis” (2001), returns to Korea for the first time in 17 years.
Cine Class, which launched last year, gathers six creators from different corners of the industry. Zhang Lu, winner of the Busan Award for Best Film at BIFF 2025 for “Gloaming in Luomu,” opens the program with reflections on cinema and life. Documentary filmmaker Seifollah Samadian will speak about his three-decade friendship with the late Iranian director Abbas Kiarostami. Judith Godrèche, whose public disclosures about abuse in the French film industry broke a long-standing silence and opened new space for women’s stories on screen, joins the lineup alongside producer Billy Acumen, whose credits include the “Roundup” franchise and “The King’s Warden” (2026). Director Bi Gan, recognized for his dreamlike visual approach since his debut, and actor Shim Eun-kyung, reflecting on a career that has crossed genres and borders, complete the session.
Special Talk rounds out the programming with three conversations. Producer Kim Tae-ho, who recently moved into film acquisition and distribution, will appear alongside a screening of “Mother Mary” (2026). Ann Hui, this year’s Camellia Award recipient, will look back on her career in cinema. Film critic Jung Sung-il will lead a session tied to the Ahn Sung-ki tribute program, following a screening of “Festival” (1996), examining Korean film history through the late actor’s career.
The 31st Busan International Film Festival will run Oct. 6-15 at the Busan Cinema Center and venues throughout Busan, with the 21st Asian Contents & Film Market held Oct. 10-13.
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