The 16th Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) has opened in the nation's southern port city of Busan.

The festival’s organizing committee held an opening ceremony for the event at six p.m. Thursday and opened the nine-day festival with director Song Il-gon’s film “Always.”

Three-hundred-eight films from 70 countries will premiere at five major movie theaters in Haeundae in Busan.

The organizing committee said that top movie stars and directors, including French film director Luc Besson and Hong Kong actress Tang Wei, will take part in the festival.

Events where fans can meet their favorite film stars will also be held in outdoor stages in Haeundae.