The Pusan International Film Festival (PIFF) has unveiled the complete lineup for its 6th edition, to be held Nov. 9-17 in Busan, South Korea. Opening with the world premiere of Korean director Bae Chang-ho's The Last Witness, the festival will screen a total of 202 films from a record 60 countries.

Renowned for its coverage of Asian film, this year's festival features a special section devoted to Thai cinema. Ten recent titles will screen in addition to the festival's closing film, the international premiere of box-office sensation Suriyothai. Over 60 guests from Thailand will reportedly be in attendance, including the Thai Prince and Princess.

International premieres at the festival include Zhang Yimou's Happy Times, Furuhata Yasuo's The Firefly, Yukisada Isao's Go, Kim Ki-duk's Bad Guy and Hur Jin-ho's One Fine Spring Day. The programming places a special emphasis on young Asian filmmakers: "With this year's festival, we intend to provide a clear glimpse of the Asian film industry's future," says festival director Kim Dong-ho.

Additional highlights include a retrospective on Korean director Shin Sang-ok; a tribute to actress Jeanne Moreau; "industry screenings" devoted to popular Korean films; and a hand-print ceremony with Hou Hsaio-Hsien, Jeanne Moreau, Dusan Makavejev, Shin Sang-ok, and Choi Eun-hee.

The Pusan Promotion Plan (PPP), one of the world's leading co-production workshops, will be held concurrent to the festival on Nov. 12-14 and will also feature a new section devoted to young Korean filmmakers.

New Currents, the festival's only competition section, provides $10,000, or theatrical distribution in Korea, to an Asian filmmaker making a first or second film. A FIPRESCI Award and PSB Award for most popular film are also presented by the festival.

'New Currents' competition for Asian filmmakers
Jury members: Hou Hsiao-Hsien (chairman), Dusan Makavejev, Nonzee Nimibutr, Yoon Jeong-hee, with one additional jury member to be announced.

Blue Spring (Japan), TOYODA Toshiaki
Conjugation (Hong Kong), Emily TANG
Dejavu (India), Biju VISWANATH
A Drowning Man (Japan), ICHIO Naoki
Flower Island (S Korea), SONG Ilgon
Going By (Iran), Iraj KARIMI
Maya (India), Digvijay SINGH
Seafood (China), ZHU Wen
Take Care Of My Cat (S Korea), JEONG Jae-eun
Unfinished Song (Iran), Maziar MIRI
Whispering Sands (Indonesia), Nan ACHNAS