SEOUL: Indian drama “Zubaan” will open the Busan International Film Festival celebrating its 20th anniversary in October, organizers said Tuesday, after months of political and financial turmoil surrounding Asia’s biggest film event.

The coming-of-age drama involving a young Sikh musician is a debut film by Mozez Singh, and produced by Guneet Monga, a star producer behind international hits including the 2013 romantic comedy, The Lunchbox. “It’s not easy to pick a movie by a first-time director as the opening film, but we had great faith in the producer,” executive programmer Kim Ji-Seok told reporters.

The festival in South Korea’s port city of Busan will feature 304 movies from 75 countries, including 94 world premiers. Launched in 1996, the annual festival has grown into the largest of its kind in Asia.

But it has faced increasing financial strain after government aid was halved, with critics accusing Seoul of trying to pressure organizers over editorial decisions.