Busan becomes an "A-list" festival: Michelle Yeoh and Zhang Yimou take centre stage

The 31st Busan International Film Festival, running from October 6 to 15, 2026 at the Busan Cinema Center, has presented 316 films from 59 countries in this edition. The South Korean event marks a significant milestone in its history: as of 2026, it has been classified as an “A-list” festival by the International Federation of Film Producers’ Associations (FIAPF), thus joining Cannes, Berlin, Venice, Locarno and San Sebastian in the group of festivals holding this recognition.

The classification carries a concrete consequence for international cinema: the Academy has designated the Busan Award for best film as a qualifying award for the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film category, placing the Korean festival in a position of prominence on the path leading to the Academy’s awards.

Among the honours bestowed at this edition, Malaysian actress Michelle Yeoh received the Asian Filmmaker of the Year award, while director Ann Hui was given the Camellia Award. Chinese director Zhang Yimou presides over the seven-member jury of the festival’s competitive section.

The competition section includes thirteen films in contention, coming from a group of countries that reflects the geographical breadth of the event: Japan, China, Taiwan, Indonesia, Uzbekistan, Iran and South Korea are among the cinematographies represented in this year’s competitive selection.

The acquisition of “A-list” status and the Academy’s recognition for Oscar qualification purposes place Busan in a tier of festivals that, until this edition, remained reserved for a limited number of European and North American events. The festival continues until October 15, with the jury presided over by Zhang Yimou tasked with deciding on the thirteen films in competition from the seven countries mentioned.