Busan International Film Festival 2024 announces award winners and shifts dates for 2025 event.
The Busan International Film Festival (BIFF), one of the most famous film events in Asia, has revealed the winners for 2024 and made a change to its schedule for next year. The 2025 festival will take place from September 17 to 26, moving from its usual October dates to avoid overlapping with Chuseok, a major holiday in Korea. The Asian Contents & Film Market will run from September 20 to 23.
Big Winners at BIFF 2024
This year’s New Currents Award, which honors emerging filmmakers, was shared by two films. “The Land of Morning Calm” from Korea, directed by Park Ri-woong, and “MA – Cry of Silence”, directed by The Maw Naing in collaboration with several countries (Myanmar, Korea, Singapore, France, Norway, and Qatar), took the top prize.
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“The Land of Morning Calm” was praised for its ability to show deep emotions in a story set in a small coastal town. “MA – Cry of Silence” was recognized for its powerful portrayal of resistance against the political challenges in Myanmar. This film also won the KB New Currents Audience Award, given to the film most loved by festivalgoers, as well as the NETPAC Award, which celebrates the best Asian films at the festival.
Kim Jiseok Award Winners
Two experienced filmmakers shared the Kim Jiseok Award. “Village Rockstars 2”, directed by Rima Das from India and Singapore, and “Yen and Ai-Lee”, directed by Tom Lin Shu-Yu from Taiwan, both received the prize.
“Village Rockstars 2” was celebrated for its “poetic expression of everyday life,” continuing the story of rural life and hope in India. “Yen and Ai-Lee” stood out for its bold and emotional portrayal of a troubled mother-daughter relationship.
The jury for this award included Christian Jeune from the Cannes Film Festival, Sri Lankan filmmaker Prasanna Vithanage, and Korean director Shin Suwon.
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Documentaries and Short Films
In the documentary category, the BIFF Mecenat Award went to two films: “Works and Days” by Park Minsoo and Ahn Kearnhyung from Korea, and “Another Home” by Frankie Sin, a film involving Taiwan, Hong Kong, China, and France.
For short films, the Sonje Award was given to two works: Song Jiseo’s “Yurim” from Korea and “A Garden in Winter”, a Japanese-French co-production by Eléonore Mahmoudian and Matsui Hiroshi.
Actor of the Year Awards
The Actor of the Year awards went to two rising stars in Korean cinema. Yoo Lee-ha was recognized for his performance in “The Final Semester”, and Park Seoyun won for her role in “Humming”. The actor awards jury included well-known Korean actors Kim Sunyoung and Ryu Junyeol.
Audience Favorites
The Flash Forward Audience Award, chosen by festival attendees, went to Antonella Sudasassi Furniss’ “Memories of a Burning Body”, a Costa Rican-Spanish film. Meanwhile, Jo Seyoung’s “K-Number” from Korea took home the Documentary Audience Award.
What’s Next for BIFF?
Next year’s festival, the 30th edition, will be a big milestone for BIFF. With new dates in September and a promise of exciting films, BIFF will continue to be a leading platform for filmmakers from around the world, especially those from Asia.
As the 2024 festival wraps up, audiences and filmmakers alike are already looking forward to the stories and talent that will take the stage in 2025.
