[Newsletter Vol.4] Names to Look Forward to at BIFF 2026
2026. 08. 13 11:07
Greetings, readers!
Can you feel autumn just around the corner? The summer heat is still very much with us, and we’re hoping these sweltering days will soon give way to cooler weather. Meanwhile, things are only getting busier here at BIFF as we count down to the Festival, with more and more exciting news to share!
In this issue, we’ve packed in exciting news you’ve all been waiting for. Stay with us till the end — as always, BIFF Trivia is waiting for you 😘
We're thrilled to welcome Kim Minha as the solo host of this year's Opening Ceremony! With the launch of BIFF's Competition and its recent A-list recognition further strengthening the Festival's global standing, Kim Minha, one of Korea's most exciting rising stars, feels like a fitting choice to open this new chapter.
From her breakout role in Pachinko (2022, 2024) to Light Shop (2024), Typhoon Family (2025), and this year's Hana Korea — a 2025 BIFF Flash Forward selection — Kim Minha has brought remarkable depth and nuance to every character she's played. Her talent has been recognized with a string of honors, including Breakout in TV at the 2022 Unforgettable Awards, Best New Actress at the 2025 Blue Dragon Series Awards, and a win at the 2026 Korea First Brand Awards, solidifying her place as one of Korea's leading actors of a new generation.
With her poised yet spirited presence, Kim Minha is set to bring warmth and confidence to the stage as she opens this year's Festival. We can't wait to see what magic she brings to this big night. 🎆
Michelle Yeoh, a trailblazer who transformed Asian cinema, has been named therecipient of The Asian Filmmaker of the Year. Presented annually to an Asian film figure who has made exceptional contributions to the advancement of Asian cinema, the honor has previously gone to filmmakers Kurosawa Kiyoshi (2024) and Jafar Panahi (2025).
This year, the spotlight turns to Yeoh, an actor whose sweeping range across genres and decades has left an indelible mark on film history. From Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000) to Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022) and Wicked (2024), she has consistently broken barriers and proven the sheer power of her presence. And there's more good news: Yeoh will be returning to Busan for the first time in 15 years!
The presentation will take place at the Opening Ceremony on October 6 (Tue). So get ready for a truly special moment as we welcome Michelle Yeoh back to Busan. 🌟
Hong Kong filmmaker Ann Hui has been named the recipient of the 2026 Camellia Award, presented by BIFF and CHANEL to honor filmmakers who've made significant contributions to advancing women in the film industry.
A leading figure of the Hong Kong New Wave, Hui has worked as a director, screenwriter, and producer, helping put Hong Kong cinema on the global map. Over the decades, she's built a singular cinematic world that continues to inspire filmmakers everywhere.
Hui's ties to Busan run deep. Eighteen Springs (1997) was the closing film of the 2nd BIFF, while other works presented at the Festival include Song of the Exile (1990), A Simple Life (2011), and The Golden Era (2013). 🎬
The official posters for the 31st BIFF and the 21st ACFM have been revealed!
This year's poster centers on an ensemble portrait of the people from last year's Festival. Each person enjoying the festival in their own way and together forming one shared scene.
The message is simple: the true star of the Festival is you, the audience 🌟
The Busan Story Market (BSM), part of the Asian Contents & Film Market (ACFM), has revealed its 25 official selections for this year.
BSM is a market dedicated to trading original IP — think books, webtoons, web novels, games, and stories with strong screen adaptation potential — connecting them with film and content industry professionals from around the world. Selected IPs are introduced through pitching sessions and 1:1 business meetings, opening up opportunities for secondary rights deals and other forms of collaboration.
This year's lineup brings together 15 Korean IPs alongside 4 from Taiwan, 4 from Japan, and 2 from Indonesia, a total of 25 original stories from four Asian countries. With such a diverse range of IP all in one place, this is your chance to discover the next big story before anyone else.
Curious which stories made the cut? Check out this year's official selections! 👇
Launched in 2024, Producer Hub is ACFM's platform for producers pursuing international co-production and financing, supporting networking and information sharing across the industry. Each year, the program spotlights one Focus Country, highlighting its co-production projects, producers, and production landscape. Korea kicked things off in 2024, Canada followed in 2025, and this year, the spotlight turns to Japan — with 10 Japanese producers heading to Busan!
This year's Producer Hub runs for four days, October 10 (Sat) to 13 (Tue), one day longer than last year. Through project pitching, Japanese producers will present international co-production projects currently in development. Case studies will highlight a range of co-production experiences between Japan and international partners, while speed meetings will create new opportunities for producers to connect.
It all adds up to a valuable opportunity to introduce Japan's projects and production environment, and to open the door to new co-production opportunities with producers from around the world. 🌏
Want to learn more about Producer Hub? Click below to visit the website! 👇
Q When did Michelle Yeoh, this year's recipient of 'The Asian Filmmaker of the Year,' first visit Busan?
① 2002 – Pusan Promotion Plan (now the Asian Project Market)
② 2007 – Far North
③ 2010 – Reign of Assassins
④ 2011 – The Lady
Q Which award was established to celebrate the artistic and cultural contributions of pioneering women in film? This year, the honor goes to director Ann Hui!
(Hint: It shares its name with Busan's official flower — and it was also the favorite flower of Gabrielle Chanel, founder of CHANEL)
① Sonje Award
② Korean Cinema Award
③ Camellia Award
④ BIFF Cinema Master Honorary Award
👀 Answers to Last Issue’s BIFF Trivia
Q Busan Cinema Center has an iconic roof that holds the Guinness World Record for the world’s “longest cantilever roof”. What is the name of the pillar that holds this roof?
② Double Cone is the pillar that holds the iconic roof of the Busan Cinema Center, one of the main buildings with the Library and various activities like handprint and red carpet experience!
Q What is the name of the official mascot of Community BIFF?
① Cobee
② Codong
③ Cobong
④ Comong
③ The mascot of Community BIFF is Cobong! Born in Nampo-dong, Busan, in 2018, Cobong is an extrovert who loves people more than anything 😜
