The 18th Busan International Film Festival began its ten-day run Thursday.

The opening ceremony will begin at 6 p.m. at the Busan Cinema Center presided by Korean actress Gang Su-yeon and Hong Kong actor Kwok Fu-shing.

Following the opening, film stars and directors from home and abroad will participate in the red carpet event. 

Directed by Bhutanese filmmaker Khyentse Norbu, "Vara: A Blessing" will be screened as the opening film.

Starting on Friday, some 300 films from 70 countries will be shown on 35 screens in seven theaters throughout the southern port city.

In addition to the screenings, various events will be held during the festival period including a Korean Cinema Retrospective, Master Class, greetings by film stars on outdoor stages, and also the Asian Film Market in which major global film companies will participate.