How to Purchase Tickets for the Busan International Film Festival

The 31st Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) is generating significant buzz in Korea, scheduled to run for 10 days from October 6th to 15th, 2026. This year, BIFF has been officially selected as an 'A-list' film festival by the International Federation of Film Producers Associations (FIAPF), with its top award, the 'Busan Award,' granting eligibility for the US Academy International Feature Film Award. This recognition significantly elevates the festival's international standing and attracts a wider audience.

The festival features 246 official invited films from 59 countries, totaling 315 films including Community BIFF, with 95 world premieres across 8 theaters and 31 screens, primarily in the Centum City area. Ticket sales for general screenings began on September 21st at 2 PM, following earlier sales for opening/closing ceremonies and special programs on September 17th. General screening tickets cost 10,000 KRW, while opening/closing ceremonies are 30,000 KRW, and other special programs range from 15,000 to 20,000 KRW. Discounts of 3,000 KRW are available for seniors, disabled individuals, and national merit recipients for general screenings.

Local bloggers advise first-time attendees to book tickets exclusively through the official BIFF website, as external sites like CGV or Lotte Cinema are not used. They recommend checking the film title, date, time, and specific screening venue carefully, as films are not shown daily in all locations. For popular films, checking for cancellation tickets is suggested, and using the Chrome browser with pop-up blockers disabled is a practical tip for a smoother booking experience.