BIFF 30th Anniversary, Standing on the Path of Challenge Beyond Crisis

The Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) celebrates its 30th anniversary this year. Over the past three years, the festival has faced a triple whammy of pandemic aftermath, internal conflicts, and budget cuts. However, during this process, it has worked to restore its relationship with the audience and redefine the festival's intrinsic value, preparing for a new leap forward. BIFF in 2025 is not merely a declaration of revival but a year to test a new identity.

The year 2022 marked the first full-scale event since the COVID-19 pandemic. By expanding invited works and operating various sections, it revived the subdued atmosphere and took the first step in overcoming the crisis. However, 2023 was the most challenging period. With continued budget cuts, internal conflicts, and a boycott declaration by filmmakers, the number of invited works and the scale of screening venues were significantly reduced, putting the festival's independence and autonomy on the line.

A turning point came in 2024. Although the number of invited works decreased, the seat occupancy rate reached 84%, recovering to pre-COVID levels. New attempts such as selecting an OTT opening film, establishing an audience voting award, and the 'Camellia Award' created with Chanel led to audience-friendly changes. Programs supporting female filmmakers also expanded the festival's value. Instead of expanding in size, BIFF strengthened its substance and directly confronted the crisis.

In 2025, marking its 30th anniversary, the festival is attempting to expand again. A total of 328 films, including 241 invited works, are being screened, and a new competition section has been established, taking the first step to build BIFF's own prestigious award. The retrospective of 100 Asian films, expanded community programs, and the operation of an AI experience lounge have created a platform where tradition and modernity, audience and technology intersect.

The past three years have been a time of crisis, collapse, and recovery. What this year's festival emphasizes is not 'complete revival' but 'the beginning of a new challenge.' Although the status of international film festivals still differs greatly from Cannes, Venice, and Berlin, BIFF's identity as the center of Asian cinema remains unshaken. Above all, restoring the relationship with the audience is the greatest achievement, providing a solid foundation for future sustainability.

Challenges and Expectations

The Busan International Film Festival has taken steps forward again. However, the 30th anniversary is not a place to declare the recovery of past glory. Strengthening the substance centered on the audience, establishing a new competition section, and expanding international cooperation are all processes for a new leap forward. The future task depends on how to transform this recovery flow into a sustainable structure. Ultimately, building trust with the audience, serving as a hub for Asian film exchange, and establishing a new film festival model in the digital age will determine BIFF's next decade.