By Kim Hwaya and Lee Jihae

The opening ceremony for the 24th annual Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) was held on Oct. 3 at the Busan Cinema Center. The following are tips on maximizing enjoyment of the ten-day event.

Under the slogan "A New Leap," this year's festival will feature about 40 screens at six theaters including Busan Cinema Center, where the opening ceremony was held, Lotte Cinema Centum City, CGV Centum City, Megabox Haeundae, Sohyang Theater and Lotte Cinema Daeyoung.

Those interested in Korean cinema are advised to go to Busan Citizens Park. Free outdoor screenings of major Korean films are slated to 7 p.m. daily through Oct. 12 including "Memories of Murder" by director Bong Joon-ho and "Mandala" by Im Kwon-taek.

Commemorating the centenary of Korean cinema, these screenings will be preceded by greetings from guests on stage.

In addition to films, the BIFF organizing committee and the Busan Tourism Organization are hosting walking tours of Busan in English and Chinese on Oct. 8 and 11 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Reservations can be made by phone (+82-51-557-8581) or Kkday and Klook, two platforms that sell international tour packages.

Visitors can also visit in Busan the filming locations of famous Korean movies such as the restaurant Jangsunghyang in Chinatown, where director Park Chan-wook filmed parts of "Oldboy" (2003), and the restaurant Chilsung Shikdang, which was in director Kwak Kyung-take's "Friend" (2001).

Moviegoers at the festival can use their tickets for a 50% discount on the Busan City Tour Bus over the event's ten-day period. More information is available in the link below in Korean, English, Japanese and Chinese.

http://www.citytourbusan.com/

fayastory@korea.kr