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Kim Minha to Host Opening Ceremony of Busan International Film Festival’s 31st Edition on Oct. 6
The Apex Times

THE APEX TIMES

Culture/The Apex Times/Jul 31, 12:38 AM EDT

Kim Minha to Host Opening Ceremony of Busan International Film Festival’s 31st Edition on Oct. 6

The actress and Pachinko star will preside over the Oct. 6 kickoff of BIFF’s 31st edition, which will continue building on a new flagship competition section introduced last year.

2 min readEditor-approved Apex article

Busan International Film Festival officials have named actress Kim Minha as the host for the festival’s opening ceremony for the 31st edition, set to begin Oct. 6 in Busan, South Korea. Kim will preside over the ceremony as BIFF prepares to launch its latest slate of screenings and competition programming for the year’s festival season.

The Oct. 6 ceremony will mark the start of BIFF’s 31st run, according to the festival’s announcement relayed by The Hollywood Reporter. Kim Minha, known internationally for her performance in the Apple TV+ series Pachinko, will serve as the event’s presiding figure at the kickoff stage.

BIFF’s 31st edition is also returning to a programming format introduced last year. The festival said the new flagship competition section was created as part of an effort to strengthen the festival’s competitive focus, and the 2026 edition is expected to continue building on that initiative, according to the report.

The festival’s opening ceremony is typically positioned as a public-facing beginning for the event’s broader schedule, with the host role serving as a central focal point for the opening program. Kim’s selection ties the ceremony to a widely recognized international performer, reflecting BIFF’s continued push to connect with audiences beyond South Korea.

Kim Minha’s presence at BIFF follows a period in which the festival has sought to refine its competition structure and presentation, while maintaining its status as one of Asia’s major platforms for film discovery. BIFF’s decision to highlight its flagship competition section suggests that organizers see competition format and visibility as key components of the festival’s identity.

For the public, the timing of the opening ceremony is also a scheduling reference point for festival attendees, performers, and press. With the ceremony set for Oct. 6, organizers will use the opening night to formally set the tone for the festival’s week-by-week screenings, premieres, and awards-related activities.

Kim’s role as opening ceremony host also indicates BIFF’s approach to festival leadership for 2026, pairing a high-profile international star with a programming shift that began last year. With the ceremony approaching, BIFF is expected to continue releasing additional announcements on competition selections and festival programming in the lead-up to the Oct. 6 start.

Why It Matters

  • The Oct. 6 opening ceremony is a key public milestone that sets the schedule and visibility for the festival’s 31st edition.
  • Kim Minha’s international recognition may broaden attention to BIFF’s competitive programming and premieres for the 2026 cycle.
  • Continuing the flagship competition section introduced last year indicates that BIFF intends to maintain and develop its competition approach rather than revert to prior formats.
  • The opening ceremony host role can influence media coverage and early audience interest in the festival’s overall lineup.
  • As a major regional film platform, BIFF’s programming decisions can affect the exposure, distribution conversations, and industry attention around participating titles and filmmakers.

Sources

Key Facts

  • Kim Minha has been selected to host the opening ceremony for the 31st edition of the Busan International Film Festival.
  • The opening ceremony is scheduled for Oct. 6 in Busan, South Korea.
  • The Hollywood Reporter reported that Kim Minha will preside over the festival’s kickoff event.
  • BIFF’s 31st edition is expected to build on a flagship competition section introduced last year.
  • The festival programming focus described in the report ties to the continued emphasis on its competition structure for 2026.