29th Busan International Film Festival Concludes and Winners Announced

The 29th Busan International Film Festival (BIFF), which unfolded from October 2 to October 11, 2024, culminated in a prestigious awards ceremony, recognizing a remarkable array of films and filmmakers who pushed the boundaries of cinematic artistry and storytelling. The festival once again affirmed its role as a beacon for Asian cinema, celebrating both established talents and promising new voices.

The highly coveted New Currents Award, dedicated to outstanding first or second feature films by emerging Asian directors, was bestowed upon two compelling works, each receiving a prize of $30,000:

• "The Land of Morning Calm" (South Korea) directed by Park Yi-woong

• "MA – Cry of Silence" (Myanmar/South Korea/Singapore/France/Norway/Qatar) directed by The Maw Nang

  
  

The New Currents jury, presided over by Iranian director Mohammad Rasoulof, lauded "The Land of Morning Calm" for its "impressive storytelling skills and ability for subtle emotional depth," while commending "MA – Cry of Silence" for its "courageous portrayal of resistance to historical and ongoing political challenges under Myanmar's political junta."

The Kim Jiseok Award, a tribute to the late program director Kim Jiseok's enduring legacy, recognized two exceptional films by established Asian directors, each receiving a prize of $10,000:

• "Village Rockstars 2" (India/Singapore) directed by Rima Das

• "Yen and Ai-Lee" (Taiwan) directed by Tom Lin Shu-yu

  
  

The Kim Jiseok jury, led by Christian Jeune (Director of the Film Department at Cannes Film Festival), praised "Village Rockstars 2" as "an honest poetic expression of everyday life, showing the harmony between nature and mankind," and lauded "Yen and Ai-Lee" for its realistic portrayal of complex familial relationships.

The Wide Angle section, a vital showcase for innovative short films and documentaries, also saw significant recognition:

BIFF Mecenat Award (Best Korean and Asian Documentary), each receiving $7,400:

• "Works and Days" (Taiwan) by PARK Minsoo and AHN Kearny Hyun

• "Another Home" (Taiwan/Hong Kong, China/France) by Frankie SIN

Sonje Award (Best Korean and Asian Short Film), each receiving $7,400:

• "Yurim" (South Korea) by SONG Jiseo

• "A Garden in Winter" (Japan/France) by Eléonore Mahmoudian and Hiroshi Matsui

  
  

Other Award Winners:

• Asian Filmmaker of the Year: Awarded to Japanese director Kiyoshi Kurosawa for his profound and consistent contributions to Asian cinema.

• Korean Film Achievement Award: Posthumously presented to the late actor Lee Sun-kyun.

• Actors of the Year Award:

  • Male: Yoo Lee-ha for "The Final Semester" (South Korea)

  • Female: Kim Sun-young for "Concerning My Daughter" (South Korea)

    
    

• NETPAC Award: "The Land of Morning Calm" (South Korea) by Park Yi-woong

• FIPRESCI Award: "Tale of the Land" (Indonesia/Philippines/Qatar) by Loeloe Hendra

• KB New Currents Audience Award: "The Land of Morning Calm" (South Korea) by Park Yi-woong

• Busan Cinephile Award: "No Other Land" (Palestine/Nepal) by Basel Adra, Hamdan Ballal, Yuval Abraham, and Rachel Szor

  
  

The 29th Busan International Film Festival concluded on a high note, celebrating the enduring power of cinema to connect, challenge, and inspire audiences across the globe.