Busan International Film Festival celebrates Asian cinema excellence with diverse awards
Mansoor Jahani reports that the closing ceremony, attended by jury members, participating filmmakers, industry professionals, and cinephiles, took place at the Busan Cinema Center.
ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) - The 29th Busan International Film Festival (BIFF), one of Asia's premier cinematic events, concluded with a grand awards ceremony, honoring outstanding achievements across various categories.
The festival, held in Busan, South Korea, showcased a rich tapestry of films from around the world, with a special focus on Asian cinema.
Mansoor Jahani reports that the closing ceremony, attended by jury members, participating filmmakers, industry professionals, and cinephiles, took place at the Busan Cinema Center.
Awards were presented in several categories including New Currents, Kim Jiseok Award (in Korean 김지석 상), Mecenat Award, Sonje Award, NETPAC Award, and FIPRESCI Award.
In the prestigious New Currents competition, the jury, headed by Iranian director Mohammad Rasoulof, awarded the top prize of $30,000 to two films: "The Land of Morning Calm" by PARK Ri-woong from South Korea, and "MA - Cry of Silence" by The Maw Naing, a multinational co-production involving Myanmar, South Korea, Singapore, France, Norway, and Qatar.
The Kim Jiseok Award, named after the late program director of BIFF, saw "Village Rockstars 2" by Rima DAS (India/Singapore) and "Yen and Ai-LEE" by Tom LIN Shu-Yu (Taiwan) sharing the $10,000 prize.
In the documentary category, the Mecenat Award of $7,400 was jointly awarded to "Works and Days" from Taiwan and "Another Home," a co-production between Taiwan, Hong Kong, China, and France.
The Sonje Award for short films, also carrying a $7,400 prize, was shared by "Yurim" from South Korea and "A Garden in Winter," a Japan-France co-production.
The FIPRESCI Award, presented by the International Federation of Film Critics, went to "Tale of the Land," a collaborative effort from Indonesia, Philippines, Taiwan, and Qatar.
The NETPAC Award for promoting Asian cinema was given to "The Land of Morning Calm," which also clinched the Audience Award in the New Currents section, marking a significant triumph for South Korean cinema at this year's festival.
BIFF, recognized as one of the 22 accredited international film festivals by FIAPF (International Federation of Film Producers Associations), showcased an impressive array of films across multiple sections. These included 10 films in the New Currents competition, 28 in the "A Window on Asian Cinema" section, and dedicated sections for world cinema, Korean cinema, and retrospectives.
The festival paid tribute to renowned Portuguese director Miguel Gomes and commemorated the late Korean actor Lee Sun-kyun with special screenings. It also featured various industry programs, including the Asian Film Market, reinforcing Busan's position as a crucial hub for Asian cinema.
This year's BIFF, running from October 2-11, 2024, not only celebrated cinematic excellence but also provided a platform for emerging talents and fostered cultural exchange through the medium of film. The diverse range of awards and the international composition of juries underscore the festival's commitment to promoting a wide spectrum of voices in global cinema.
For more information, visit the official BIFF website.