The 19th Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) will open Thursday in South Korea's southern port city of Busan.

South Korean actress Moon So-ri and Japanese actor Ken Watanabe will co-host the opening ceremony of the annual film festival at Busan Cinema Center.

This year's festival will open with "Paradise in Service" by Taiwanese filmmaker Doze Niu, and close with “Gangster Pay Day” by Lee Biu Cheung from Hong Kong.

During the ten-day festival 314 films from 79 countries will be shown on 33 screens in seven movie theaters throughout the city.

Among the international guests to attend the festival are Chinese filmmaker Zhang Yimou and Chinese actress Tang Wei.

In addition to the screenings, various programs and industry fairs will be held during the festival period including the film market and events where fans can meet their favorite film directors and stars. 

A celebratory event will be held on the eve of the festival on Wednesday, and the festival will run through October 11.