The 12th Pusan International Film Festival (PIFF) opens Thursday in the southern port city for a 12-day run.

Chinese director Feng Xiaogang’s “Assembly” will open this year’s fest at Busan's Haeundae beach on Thursday evening.

A total of 275 films from 64 countries will be presented at 34 movie theaters in Haeundae and Nampo-dong.

This year’s PIFF consists of eleven sections including the Gala Presentation screening works by internationally renowned directors and the new Flash Forward showcase introducing films by up-and-coming directors.

Several foreign and domestic celebrities are expected to visit, including Korean directors Im Kwon-taek and Lee Chang-dong, and Taiwanese director Hou Hsiao-hsien.