By Kim Ji-eun

The 28th Busan International Film Festival kicked off with the opening ceremony held at the Haeundae Cinema Center in Haeundae-gu, Busan, started at 6 p.m. on Oct. 4.

It was attended not only by the audience but also by various international filmmakers and Busan city officials. The 5,000-seat outdoor theater was packed early on.

The organizers, who expanded the scope of the event to pre-COVID-19 levels by closing roads near the venue, held the red carpet event somewhat earlier than originally planned. 

Asian Movie Personality of the Year winner, Hong Kong star Chow Yun-fat, special host Song Kang-ho, and a host of actors who are active in popular and independent art films, including John Cho, Justin Jeon, Yoo Ji-tae, Cha Seung-won, Cho Jin-woong, Lee Ju-young, and Yoo Tae-oh, walked the red carpet.
 
Most of the invited guests attended the opening ceremony, and the audience surrounding the venue cheered as they appeared. 

The Asia's largest film festival opened for a 10-day run in the southeastern port city of Busan. It will feature 209 films from 69 countries, including 80 world premieres and seven international debuts.

It opened with Korean director Jang Kun-jae's drama "Because I Hate Korea" and closes with Chinese director Ning Hao's black comedy "The Movie Emperor," starring Hong Kong star Andy Lau.

Korean actor Song Kang-ho, who won the best actor award at Cannes for his role in "Broker" (2022), represents the film festival in various capacities, such as welcoming guests at the opening ceremony.

During the opening ceremony, hosted by Park Eun-bin, the star of "Extraordinary Attorney Woo," actors and directors walked the red carpet in front of cheering crowds who gathered at the outdoor theater of the Busan Cinema Center.

At the ceremony, Hong Kong star Chow Yun-fat was honored with the Asian Filmmaker of the Year award for his contribution to the Asian film industry.

During the festival period, the actor's celebrated and recent films, including "One More Chance" (2023), "A Better Tomorrow" (1986) and "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" (2000), will be screened in the special section dedicated to his acting career.

The festival also highlights works by Korean Americans in Hollywood and a wide array of films from Indonesia, a hotspot in Southeast Asian cinema, staying true to its origin as a bridgehead to promote Asian films by talented directors to the world.

There will be special screenings of late Korean actress Yun Jung-hee's most celebrated films, "Mist" (1967) and "Poetry" (2010), and late Japanese film composer Ryuichi Sakamoto's song "Opus" in memory of the influential figures in the film industry.