The 30th Busan International Film Festival has unveiled a significantly expanded Vision section featuring 23 independent films from across Asia, while launching InnoAsia, an ambitious new platform merging cutting-edge technology with storytelling at the accompanying Asian Contents and Film Market.
The newly restructured Vision section, split into Vision – Korea and Vision – Asia categories, represents a major evolution from the festival’s previous Korean Cinema Today – Vision program. The standalone section will showcase 12 Korean titles and 11 Asian productions, all world premieres from both emerging and established filmmakers.
The Vision – Korea selection features established auteurs alongside emerging voices. Lee Kwang-kuk returns with “Beautiful Dreamer,” depicting a mother attempting to clean the ashes of her suicide victim husband and a daughter reluctant to let go. Shin Su-won, whose work has been recognized at Cannes and Berlin, presents her seventh feature “(the) Mutation,” exploring companionship between a discriminated man and his traveling companion.
Lim Junghwan delivers his fourth feature “The Observer’s Journal,” continuing his exploration of reality and illusion through characters including a director, spy, traveler and a woman who sees ghosts. Yu Eun-jeong, known for “Ghost Walk” (2018), returns with the mysterious “The Second Child,” weaving a narrative between a mother encountering her deceased daughter’s doppelganger and her second daughter awakening from a coma.
The Korean lineup also includes Choi Seung-woo’s “Winter Days,” capturing city dwellers during winter in different places; Shin Sun’s psychological drama “Maze” about a man chasing the truth behind his wife’s death; Yoo Jaewook’s “The Gorals,” portraying four high school girls choosing wildlife over exam preparation; and Son Kyeong-su’s debut feature “The Accordion Door,” following a boy experiencing memory loss.
Rounding out the Korean selection are Jeong Seung-o’s “Coming of Age,” capturing a family confronting cancer diagnosis; Kim Dukjoong’s “The Love of Truman,” following three people who believe they are ‘Truman’; Kim Kyungrae’s fifth feature “Two voices into an echo,” describing a woman’s emotions at life’s turning point; and Kim Jinyu’s sophomore film “Journey There,” exploring the bond between an elderly grieving woman and a young German foreigner.
The Vision – Asia selection represents diverse territories and themes across 11 productions. Malaysian filmmaker Ho Wi-ding presents “Mothernet” (Indonesia/Singapore), about a boy depending on i-BU, an AI reconstruction of his recently deceased mother. Iranian director Shahram Mokri, known for his inventive narratives, brings “Black Rabbit, White Rabbit” (Tajikistan/U.A.E.), describing three protagonists mysteriously tied to a film set.
Tracy Choi presents “Girlfriends” (Macau China/Taiwan/Hong Kong, China/Thailand), chronicling a woman’s growth through three love episodes at ages 17, 22, and 34. Japanese director Takashi Koyama delivers his spirited second feature “All Greens” (Japan), following three schoolgirls who promise to “leave their hometown after making a bunch of money.”
The selection also features debut filmmakers including Russian newcomer Natalia Uvarova with “Malika” (Kazakhstan/Moldova/Ireland), showing a girl forced to move into her father’s house under Islamic tradition, and Tribeny Rai’s “Shape of Momo” (India/Korea), portraying a woman torn between family, tradition, and conscience in her Himalayan hometown.
Additional titles include Sanju Surendran’s “If on a Winter’s Night” (India), about a Kerala couple building bonds amid challenges in Delhi; Maharshi Tuhin Kashyap’s distinctive debut “Kok Kok Kokoook” (India), following a foreign worker’s obsession after losing his motorcycle; co-directors Erke Dzhumakmatova and the late Emil Atageldiev’s “Kurak” (Kyrgyzstan), depicting struggle against violence and corruption; Anshul Chauhan’s fourth feature “Tiger” (Japan), exploring a gay man’s painful struggle between sexual minority status and family dreams; and Reza Rahadian‘s “On Your Lap” (Indonesia/Saudi Arabia), capturing a pregnant woman’s journey navigating betrayal and exploitation.
Complementing the expanded film program, the 20th Asian Contents and Film Market debuts InnoAsia, bringing together global tech leaders Amazon (AWS), Google Cloud, and MidJourney with Asia’s emerging AI companies including Kling AI, TikTok’s Jimeng AI, PixVerse, and India’s Mugafi. Policy institutions like the Korean Film Council (KOFIC), Korea Creative Content Agency (KOCCA), and Seoul Business Agency (SBA) will also participate alongside pioneering production companies leading AI-driven content creation.
InnoAsia features five core programs: conferences exploring cinema’s digital future, AI Boot Camp Series for creators, WIP Showcase presenting AI films in production, InnoAsia Stage and Lounge for hands-on tech experiences, and Investment Events connecting startups with industry professionals.
The conference component opens with Demo Jam Kickoff, followed by sessions including The Cinematic Singularity discussing AI-cinema convergence and How to Drive Value From IP in 2025 exploring intellectual property shifts. MIT professor Pat Pataranuporn will deliver the closing keynote. Additional sessions include the Korea Racing Authority and Studio Freewillusion’s branded AI content strategy, Pickford’s interactive AI mystery “Whispers,” and TikTok’s Dreamina AI hosting an AI Film International Summit.
The AI Boot Camp Series will feature PixVerse and MiniStudio, showcasing generative AI content creation tools with participants receiving hands-on training and complimentary credits. The WIP Showcase will preview feature-length films and technology-convergent content currently in production by AI studios from Korea and internationally, featuring in-depth creator discussions about production processes.
At the InnoAsia Stage and Lounge, participating companies will host 30-minute live demos showcasing innovative solutions while providing networking space for tech firms, creators and startups. The Investment Events for Startups will connect technology-driven content companies with investors through pitches and consultations, fostering tangible investment opportunities.
The expanded Vision program comes with increased award recognition, featuring 17 prizes including the Actor of the Year, KB Vision Audience Award, FIPRESCI Award, NETPAC Award, DGK PLUS M Award, CGV Award, KBS Independent Film Award, Critic b Award, Songwon Citizen Critics’ Award, Hylife Vision Award, Songwon Vision Award, Face of the Future Award, International Film Festival of India – Vision Asia Award, Jury Memorial Prize, Bishkek International Film Festival – Central Asia United Award, Taipei Film Commission Award, and Vision of Jiseok Award.
The festival runs Sept. 17-26 with the 20th Asian Contents and Film Market scheduled for Sept. 20-23.