Travel
Busan International Short Film Festival to be held April 23-28
Haps Magazine Korea
April 23, 2026
(Photo by Busan International Short Film Festival/Courtesy of Haps Magazine Korea)
Busan will host the 43rd edition of the Busan International Short Film Festival starting today, marking the beginning of the city’s spring film festival season.
First launched in 1980, the festival has grown into one of the largest international short film events in South Korea. Screenings and programs will take place at venues including the Busan Cinema Center and the BNK Busan Bank Art Cinema Corner Theater.
This year’s theme, “Cinema & Lumiere,” focuses on the fundamental elements of film—light and imagery, while exploring both the origins and evolution of cinema.
The 2026 edition saw 5,966 submissions from 124 countries, reflecting its expanding international reach. From these, 40 films were selected for the international competition and 20 for the Korean competition.
France has been designated as the guest country of honor in celebration of the 140th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and France. Special programs will include curated screenings such as “Crossed Perspectives: Korea and France,” a Cinémathèque Française showcase, and a retrospective highlighting the French New Wave.
The opening ceremony will be held tonight at 7 p.m. at the Busan Cinema Center, featuring four opening films from France, China, Germany, and the Netherlands. A live performance by singer-songwriter Yuval will also be part of the event.
Throughout the festival, audiences will have access to a range of additional programs, including talks and roundtable discussions designed to connect filmmakers and viewers.
A short film production support program will also hold its public pitching session on April 25, with final selections to be announced at the closing ceremony.
The festival will conclude on April 28, when awards across various categories will be presented.
As an Academy Award-qualifying festival, winning films in both the international and Korean competition categories are eligible for automatic consideration in the short film categories at the Academy Awards.
Further details, including ticket reservations and screening schedules, are available through the official festival and venue websites.