The 20th Busan International Kids and Youth Film Festival (BIKY) will kick off today and run through July 14, with events and screenings held at the Busan Cinema Center, Jung-gu’s Yurari Square, and BNK Art Cinema.
To mark its 20th anniversary, the festival will expand westward with additional events taking place from July 15 to 19 in Saha-gu, including Dadaepo Beach Park and Lotte Cinema in Myeongji.
This year’s festival will screen 172 films from 44 countries, including 53 feature-length and 119 short films.
The opening film, The Storyville Mosquito, directed by Kid Koala, is an animated feature that tells the story of a friendship between a girl and a robot during a space journey, rendered in ink-brush animation.
The opening ceremony, hosted by broadcaster Oh Sang-jin and actress Moon Seung-ah, will take place at 5:30 pm on July 8 at the Sky Theater. Magician Lee Eun-gyeol will perform during the event.
This year’s edition features expanded programming to reflect on the festival’s past and future.
Special programs include BIKY Classics, a retrospective of notable films; Korean Cinema Today, a thematic look at contemporary family life; and an AI-focused forum exploring the intersection of film and technology.
A series of workshops and lectures—BIKY Class and Special Class—will bring together directors, actors, and industry experts, including director Yoon Ga-eun, actress Kim Su-an, and Canadian artist Kid Koala, for discussions on acting and filmmaking.
The festival’s popular outdoor venue, BIKY Playground, will return with updated features: a food truck zone, a live performance stage, and a “Thinky Experience” zone where children can explore future-themed content through hands-on activities in technology, education, and the environment.
For a full schedule and reservation details, visit the official website at www.biky.or.kr.
