BIFF Unveils 2025 Class Lineups Across Three Programs — SkimNews
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- The 31st Busan International Film Festival unveiled its Master Class, Cine Class, and Special Talk program lineup ahead of its Oct. 6-15 run at the Busan Cinema Center and venues throughout Busan.
- Master Class brings together four directors: Na Hong-Jin (whose "Hope" drew global attention this year), Filipino auteur Lav Diaz, French director Bertrand Mandico, and Japanese animation veteran Rintaro—making his first Korea visit in 17 years.
- Cine Class gathers six creators including Zhang Lu (Busan Award for Best Film winner for "Gloaming in Luomu" at BIFF 2025), Seifollah Samadian (discussing his three-decade friendship with the late Abbas Kiarostami), Judith Godrèche (who broke silence on abuse in the French film industry), director Bi Gan, and actor Shim Eun-kyung.
- Special Talk features producer Kim Tae-ho alongside a screening of "Mother Mary" (2026), this year's Camellia Award recipient Ann Hui reflecting on her career, and critic Jung Sung-il leading an Ahn Sung-ki tribute session with a screening of "Festival" (1996).
- The 21st Asian Contents & Film Market runs Oct. 10-13 as part of the festival.
Why it matters: The festival's Oct. 6-15 lineup spans Korean, Japanese, Filipino, French, and Chinese filmmakers—anchored by Rintaro's first Korea visit in 17 years and Judith Godrèche's session on breaking silence around French film industry abuse—giving the 31st BIFF broad cross-cultural reach alongside the 21st Asian Contents & Film Market.
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