29th Busan International Film Festival: Dates and Submission Guidelines Released
- By Deryl Tan
- Mar 12, 2024
- 2 min read
The 29th Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) has officially unveiled its festival dates. This forthcoming edition is slated to take place from Wednesday, October 2, to Friday, October 11, 2024, and is anticipated to further solidify its standing as one of the leading film arts event in Asia.
The festival will once again return to the Busan Cinema Center in Haeundae District, a renowned architectural structure that has consistently served as BIFF's dedicated site since 2011. This facility, along with various other venues across Busan, will accommodate a comprehensive agenda of film screenings, professional forums, and associated gatherings, drawing filmmakers, industry stakeholders, and film aficionados globally.
The Busan International Film Festival boasts a distinguished trajectory, having been inaugurated on September 13, 1996, as the inaugural international film festival in Korea. From its inception, BIFF has maintained a steadfast commitment to identifying and championing new cinematic works and emerging directorial talents, with a specific emphasis on nurturing Asian filmmaking. Over the decades, BIFF has been instrumental in elevating Korean and Asian cinema on the world stage, garnering accolades such as the UNESCO Fellini Award in 2007 and being recognized as Asia's first UNESCO City of Film in 2014. The festival's dedication to talent cultivation is further demonstrated through initiatives like the Asian Project Market (APM), which facilitates crucial connections between promising film ventures and potential co-producers and financiers.
The 29th BIFF is presently accepting entries for its official selections. This invitation extends to fiction films, documentaries, and animated features completed after October 2023. The festival places a strong emphasis on World or International premieres, thereby providing a significant platform for films making their inaugural public presentation.
Filmmakers are encouraged to submit their projects digitally through the official BIFF website. The submission window is currently active, with critical deadlines approaching:
Short Films (under 60 minutes): June 19, 2024, 18:00 KST
Feature Films (60 minutes or longer): July 17, 2024, 18:00 KST
The submission process is offered without charge, underscoring BIFF's commitment to broad accessibility for filmmakers worldwide. Films presented in languages other than Korean or English are required to include English subtitles.
For comprehensive details on eligibility and the submission process, please refer to the official Rules and Regulations. To submit your film, please visit the official submission page.
With its schedule confirmed and preparations well underway, the 29th Busan International Film Festival is poised to deliver a compelling cinematic experience, highlighting contemporary filmmaking and reinforcing its pivotal role as a central hub for Asian and global cinema.