The 31st Busan International Film Festival concluded its run with attendance figures representing the highest turnout in more than a decade. Film screenings recorded 200,043 admissions, surpassing the festival’s previous peak since 2015. When including talks, outdoor events, and side programs, total attendance climbed to 277,027, marking an increase of approximately 40,000 visitors compared to the previous year’s milestone edition. Festival organizers attributed the strong showing to an adjusted opening date and an expanded film slate.
The festival’s concurrent Asian Contents & Film Market generated significant activity, welcoming 30,484 visitors and attracting 3,158 registered participants from 1,266 companies across 58 countries. Participating exhibitors numbered 339 companies, with 49 making their first appearance at the market. New national pavilions from Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Cambodia made their debuts. Market officials noted that despite growth in attendance and participation, public funding levels have remained unchanged for two consecutive years, identifying financing as the primary challenge facing continued expansion.
Political tensions dominated the festival’s opening week following the release of a Korean historical thriller centered on a 1974 incident. The film topped local box office charts but prompted criticism from conservative politicians and online commentators who disputed its historical accuracy. In response, the festival canceled a scheduled career discussion with one of the film’s stars, and the production company subsequently withdrew the cast and crew from all festival appearances due to safety concerns. The controversy prompted remarks from competition jury president Zhang Yimou regarding the relationship between historical accuracy and artistic freedom.
At the closing ceremony, filmmaker Majid Majidi received the top jury prize for his feature. Following the award presentation, he delivered remarks addressing military conflict in Iran and dedicated his win to the Iranian people. The festival’s first competition saw 13 Asian titles vie for recognition following the festival’s recent elevation to A-list status by international film organizations. Additional honorees at the ceremony included veteran filmmaker Ann Hui, who received the Camellia Award, and actor Michelle Yeoh, named Asian Filmmaker of the Year.
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