By If you love films, food, and discovering a city through its culture, October is a great time to visit Busan. The 31st Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) returns in 2026, bringing filmmakers, actors, cinema lovers and thousands of visitors to South Korea’s coastal city.
But BIFF is about more than watching films. Between screenings, you can explore beaches, markets, temples, cafés and some of Busan’s best-known neighbourhoods.
When Is the Busan International Film Festival 2026?
The Busan International Film Festival 2026 will take place from October 6 to October 15, 2026. The festival will centre on the Busan Cinema Centre and feature 316 films, including 247 in the official selection from 59 countries.
The festival will also feature Open Talks, Master Classes, Actors’ House sessions, outdoor greetings, and Cine Classes throughout. If you are planning your trip around specific screenings or events, check the official BIFF schedule before booking your accommodation, as venues are spread across different parts of the city.
What Can You Do in Busan During BIFF?
1.Start with the Busan Cinema Center: This is the heart of the festival and the obvious place to soak up the BIFF atmosphere. Even if you don’t have a screening planned, the area is worth visiting for its architecture and festival activity.
2. Take a trip on the Haeundae Blueline Park Sky Capsule: The colourful capsules travel along Busan’s coastline, offering elevated views of the sea. It is particularly enjoyable around sunset.
3. Explore Haeundae and Gwangalli: These are two of Busan’s most popular coastal areas. Spend an afternoon at the beach, explore cafés, and stay into the evening for views of the illuminated Gwangandaegyo Bridge.
4. Eat your way through Jagalchi Market: For a taste of Busan beyond its film festival, head to Jagalchi, one of the city’s best-known seafood markets. It is a lively place to experience local food and everyday life.
5. Explore the old city of Nampo-dong: Gukje Market and nearby neighbourhoods offer another side of Busan, with street food, shopping and traditional markets.
Where Should You Stay for BIFF 2026?
Your ideal neighbourhood depends on what you want from the trip:
- Haeundae works well if you want beaches, restaurants and a lively coastal atmosphere.
- Seomyeon is a practical choice for travellers who want shopping, nightlife and easy subway connections.
- Nampo-dong is better suited to visitors interested in markets, food and historic Busan.
If you’re booking attractions, activities or local experiences alongside your hotel, KKday can also be useful for planning your Busan itinerary, with options such as the Visit Busan Pass and Haeundae Sky Capsule experiences.
Is Busan Worth Visiting During BIFF?
Definitely, if you enjoy combining a major cultural event with a city break. BIFF gives you the chance to discover international cinema while experiencing Busan’s beaches, food markets, neighbourhoods and nightlife.
For a first visit, plan at least three to four days. This gives you enough time for a few screenings without spending the entire trip inside cinemas. And if you’re staying longer, look beyond the festival schedule. In 2026, BIFF Everywhere will also bring screenings to unusual locations across Busan, Yangsan, and Seoul from October 3 to October 15.
