BIFF: Asia’s Biggest Film Fest Raises Curtains

The 17th Busan International Film Festival kicks off its ten-day event in Busan, South Korea, on October 4, 2012. [Kim Min-young/10Asia]

All eyes of film lovers around the world are on South Korea’s port city Busan, where Asia’s biggest film festival has begun to unfold. The 17th Busan International Film Festival finally kicked off its ten day-run with Hong Kong's cop thriller "Cold War" in Busan, South Korea on October 4. Several hours before the opening ceremony, people began to form a long line along the red carpet to get a closer look of renowned stars all dolled up for the event. Korean actors Jung Woo-sung, Joo Ji-hoon, Kim Nam-gil, Yoon Gye-sang, actresses Park Sin-hye, Kong Hyo-jin and Han Ga-in are set to vie to become the best dresser. After this year's hosts Ahn Sung-ki and Tang Wei declare the launch of the Asia's biggest film ceremony, fireworks will light up the venue to celebrate its grand opening. Screening 304 films of different genres submitted from 75 countries, this year’s BIFF aims to mirror the future of Asia’s film industry, which has been growing larger every year on the global film stage. The festival will close with Bangladeshi director Mostafa Farooki’s “Televison” on October 13.

People gather around the red carpet to get a closer look of renowned stars in front of the Busan Cinema Center located in Busan, South Korea, on October 4, 2012. [Kim Min-young/10Asia]

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