Director Park Chan-wook’s upcoming film “No Other Choice” has been selected to open this year’s Busan International Film Festival(BIFF) on the festival’s 30th anniversary.

The BIFF organizing committee announced the opening selection on Tuesday as well as the number of invited films, 241 this year.

Based on the mystery novel “The Ax” by American writer Donald E. Westlake, “No Other Choice” is a dark thriller about a middle-aged man who sets out to find a new job after being fired from a paper company.

Lee Byung-hun, who plays the lead role, is also the host of this year’s opening ceremony.

The festival will launch a competition section for the first time, inviting 14 films from across Asia to compete in five categories: best film, best director, special jury, best actor/actress and artistic contribution.

The 30th BIFF will run from September 17 to 26.