The 31st Busan International Film Festival has announced the filmmakers, actors and industry figures taking part in this yearβs Master Class, Cine Class and Special Talk programs.
The Master Class lineup features four internationally recognized directors: Na Hong-jin, Lav Diaz, Bertrand Mandico and Japanese animation director Rintaro. Na will discuss his creative approach following his latest film HOPE, while Rintaro, known for Galaxy Express 999 and Metropolis, will return to Korea for the first time in 17 years.
Six guests will participate in Cine Class. Director Zhang Lu will discuss cinema and life, while Iranian photographer and filmmaker Seifollah Samadian will reflect on his three-decade friendship with the late Abbas Kiarostami. French filmmaker and actor Judith Godrèche will discuss women and representation in cinema.
Producer Billy Acumen, whose credits include The Roundup series, will speak about producing commercially successful films. Chinese filmmaker Bi Gan will explore his distinctive approach to filmmaking, while actor Shim Eun-kyung will discuss a career that has taken her across different genres and countries.
The festivalβs Special Talk series will feature producer Kim Tae-ho in connection with a screening of Mother Mary, while Hong Kong filmmaker Ann Hui, this yearβs Camellia Award recipient, will look back on her career.
Film critic Jung Sung-il will also lead a discussion following a screening of Festival (1996) as part of BIFFβs special program honoring actor Ahn Sung-ki.
The 31st Busan International Film Festival runs from October 6 to 15, with the Asian Contents & Film Market taking place from October 10 to 13.
