The 31st Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) presented 11 feature films for its Vision Asia section, including a film from Iran.
Iranian filmmaker Mani Moghadam will participate in this section with his debut feature film 'Dream'. The film uses elements of magical realism, telling the story of a man suffering from sleep disorders who moves between everyday reality and relationships experienced in dreams.
The film 'Dream' stars Reza Attaran, Merila Zarei, Hoda Zeinolabedin, Kazem Sayahi, and Ali Mosaffa. It will compete alongside films from Vietnam, Japan, India, Thailand, Kazakhstan, Hong Kong, China, the Philippines, Saudi Arabia, and Mongolia.
The festival defines its Vision Asia program as a showcase for new independent Asian cinema. The lineup of 11 Vision Asia films covers regions from Southeast and East Asia to Central and South Asia, including several feature film debuts.
The participants include both established festival figures and directors debuting with feature works. The Vision Asia 2026 lineup once again emphasizes independent cinema, offering a broad overview of emerging trends in filmmaking across Asia.
The full competitive lineup of the festival has not yet been announced. BIFF will present its complete official selection on September 1 at an official press conference in Seoul.
The Busan International Film Festival, held annually in the Haeundae district of Busan, South Korea, is one of Asia's most important film festivals. BIFF's main goal is to introduce audiences to new films and directors, especially from Asian countries. The festival is also notable for its appeal to youth, both due to the large young audience it attracts and its efforts to develop and promote young talent.
Starting in 2026, the festival will be classified as an 'A' level festival, joining prestigious competitive events such as Cannes, Berlin, Venice, Locarno, and San Sebastian, as part of the updated accreditation process of the International Federation of Film Producers Associations.
The 31st Busan International Film Festival will take place from October 6 to 15, and the Asia Content and Film Market will run from October 10 to 13.