6 Things Not to Miss at Busan

6:00 AM PDT 9/25/2012 by Soomee Park, Lee Hyo-won

The 17th edition of Asia's premier film festival promises a little bit more of everything -- an extra day of screenings, a longer market and plenty of star power (and don't forget the soju).

Since launching in 1996, the Busan International FIlm Festival -- which changed its official title from "Pusan" to "Busan" last year because of the country's new romanization system -- has grown into one of Asia's most important film events. Each fall, film execs, sales agents, the international press and stars transform the resort town on the country's southeastern coast into a bustling film mecca. This year's BIFF will screen 304 films from 75 countries -- more than a third of which are world and international premieres -- and offer dealmakers access to more than 170 exhibitors at the Asian Film Market, which kicks off Oct. 8. Here are six reasons why Busan should be on everyone's festival radar.