The Busan International Film Festival (BIFF, previously Pusan International Film Festival, PIFF), held annually in Haeundae-gu, Busan (also Pusan), South Korea, is one of the most significant film festivals in Asia. The first festival, held from 13 to 21 September 1996, was also the first international film festival in Korea. The main focus of the BIFF is to introduce new films and first-time directors, especially those from Asian countries. Another notable feature is the appeal of the festival to young people, both in terms of the large youthful audience it attracts and through its efforts to develop and promote young talent. In 1999, the Pusan Promotion Plan (renamed Asian Project Market in 2011) was established to connect new directors to funding sources. The 16th BIFF in 2011 saw the festival move to a new permanent home, the Busan Cinema Center in Centum City. History 1st Busan International Film Festival, 13–21 September 1996 Films screened: 173 films from 31 countries Opening Film: Secrets & Lies, Mike Leigh, UK/France Closing Film: In Expectation, Ming Zhang, China Participating guests: 224 guests from 27 countries Total audience: 184,071 2nd Busan International Film Festival, 10–18 October 1997 Films screened: 163 films from 33 countries Opening Film: Chinese Box, Wayne Wang, UK/France/USA/Japan Closing Film: Eighteen Springs, Ann Hui, Hong Kong-China Participating guests: 450 guests from 30 countries Total audience: 170,206 3rd Busan International Film Festival, 24 September – 1 October 1998 Films screened: 211 films from 41 countries Opening Film: The Silence, Mohsen Makhmalbaf, Iran/France Closing Film: Kanzo sensei, Shohei Imamura, Japan Participating guests: 659 guests from 25 countries Total audience: 192,547 (paid audiences: 174,870) 4th Busan International Film Festival, 14–23 October 1999 Films screened: 207 films from 53 countries Opening Film: Peppermint Candy, Lee Chang-Dong, Korea Closing Film: Not One Less, Zhang Yimou, China Participating guests: 555 guests from 36 countries Total audience: 180,914 5th Busan International Film Festival, 6–14 October 2000 Films screened: 207 films from 55 countries Opening Film: The Wrestlers, Buddhadeb Dasgupta, India Closing Film: In the Mood for Love, Wong Kar-wai, Hong Kong-China Participating guests: 3017 guests from 39 countries Total audience: 181,708 people 6th Busan International Film Festival, 9–17 November 2001 Films screened: 201 films from 60 countries Opening Film: The Last Witness, Bae Chang-ho, Korea Closing Film: The Legend of Suriyothai, Chatrichalerm Yukol, Thailand Participating guests: 3,761 guests from 30 countries Total audience: 143,103 people 7th Busan International Film