29th Busan International Film Festival: Main Selections and Distinguished Jury Announced

The 29th Busan International Film Festival (BIFF), scheduled to immerse audiences in cinematic excellence from October 2 to October 11, 2024, has proudly unveiled the complete roster of films chosen for its esteemed competitive sections: New Currents, Kim Jiseok Award, and Sonje Award (for short films). These selections spotlight both burgeoning talents and celebrated auteurs from across the Asian continent, reinforcing BIFF's enduring commitment as a pivotal global cinematic nexus. The festival has also announced the accomplished individuals who will serve on the juries, entrusted with the critical task of evaluating these compelling works.

New Currents: A Glimpse into Tomorrow's Asian Cinema

The New Currents section, dedicated to the debut or second feature films by promising Asian directors, presents ten diverse narratives vying for the coveted top accolades. These productions offer a vibrant spectrum of innovative storytelling and fresh cinematic perspectives:

• "Able" (Kazakhstan) by Elzak Eskendir

• "As the River Goes By" (China) by Charles Hu

• "For Rana" (Iran) by Iman Yazadi

• "The Height of the Coconut Trees" (Japan) by Du Jie

• "Kaneko's Commissar" (Japan) by Furukawa Go

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

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

• "Montages of a Modern Motherhood" (Hong Kong) by Oliver Chan

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

• "Waterdrop" (South Korea) by Choi Jong-yong

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The recipients of the New Currents Award will be determined by an eminent jury:

• Mohammad RASOULOF (Jury President): An acclaimed Iranian independent director, writer, and producer, known for powerful works like There Is No Evil (Golden Bear winner at Berlinale 2020) and The Seed of the Sacred Fig (Jury Special Prize at Cannes 2024). Rasoulof is recognized for his courageous filmmaking in the face of adversity.

• LEE Myung Se: A distinguished Korean director, celebrated for his innovative and visually distinctive style in films such as Nowhere to Hide and Duellist.

• ZHOU Dongyu: A highly successful Chinese actress, the youngest to win Best Actress at all three major Chinese film festivals (Golden Horse, Hong Kong Film Awards, Golden Rooster) for her roles in Soul Mate and Better Days.

• Kani KUSRUTI: An Indian actress and activist, who has garnered multiple Best Actress awards for her performance in Biriyaani and featured in critically acclaimed films like All We Imagine as Light (Grand Prix at Cannes 2024).

• Vanja KALUDJERCIC: The Festival Director of the International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR), known for her active support of independent cinema.

  
  

Kim Jiseok Award: Celebrating Asian Masters

The Kim Jiseok Award section, established to honor the late program director Kim Jiseok's profound commitment to Asian cinema, showcases works by more established Asian directors. Eight films are selected for this esteemed recognition:

• "Aimitagai" (Japan) by Kusano Shogo

• "Deal at the Border" (Kyrgyzstan) by Dastan Zhapar Ryskeldi

• "I Am Love" (South Korea) by Baek Sung-bin

• "Motherland" (Philippines) by Brillante Mendoza

• "So It Goes" (South Korea) by Lee Ha-ram

• "Travelling Alone" (Japan) by Ishibashi Yuho

• "Village Rockstars 2" (India) by Rima Das

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

  
  

The jury for the Kim Jiseok Award includes:

• Christian JEUNE (Jury Head): Director of the Film Department at the Cannes Film Festival (France), instrumental in promoting Asian cinema globally for over three decades.

• Prasanna VITHANAGE: An acclaimed Sri Lankan director, known for his incisive social commentaries, whose film Paradise won the Kim Jiseok Award in 2023.

• SHIN Suwon: A celebrated Korean director and screenwriter, whose works have been recognized at major international film festivals.

  
  

Sonje Award: Spotlighting Short Film Excellence

The Sonje Award is dedicated to recognizing outstanding short films from Korea and Asia within the Wide Angle section, providing crucial support for emerging short filmmakers. The jury for this significant category is composed of:

• LIM Dae-hyung: A distinguished Korean director and screenwriter, known for films such as Moonlit Winter.

• Constance TSANG: A Chinese-American filmmaker based in New York, whose debut feature Blue Sun Palace won the French Touch Prize of the Jury at Cannes Critics' Week.

• Yoko YAMANAKA: A Japanese director.

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The 29th Busan International Film Festival promises an enthralling program, inviting audiences to explore the vibrant and evolving landscape of contemporary Asian cinema, guided by the expertise and discerning vision of its distinguished juries.