The 29th Busan International Film Festival () opened on October 2 at the Busan Cinema Center in

Busan Busan (), officially Busan Metropolitan City, is South Korea's second list of cities in South Korea by population, most populous city after Seoul, with a population of over 3.3 million as of 2024. Formerly romanized as Pusan, it is the economi ...

, with South Korean film ''

Uprising Rebellion is an uprising that resists and is organized against one's government. A rebel is a person who engages in a rebellion. A rebel group is a consciously coordinated group that seeks to gain political control over an entire state or a ...

'' by

Kim Sang-man Kim Sang-man (; born January 28, 1970) is a South Korean film director and art director. Career Kim Sang-man began his career in films designing posters, starting with '' The Contact'' in 1997. He had designed posters for about 30 films when he ...

, and screened 278 films from 63 countries, including 224 officially invited films and 54 community beef screenings.

Park Bo-young Park Bo-young (; born February 12, 1990) is a South Korean actress. She is best known for her leading roles in the hit films '' Scandal Makers'' (2008), '' A Werewolf Boy'' (2012) and '' On Your Wedding Day'' (2018), and the television series ' ...

and

Ahn Jae-hong Ahn Chai-hong (, December 31, 1891 – March 1, 1965) was a Korean activist, politician, and journalist who participated in the Korean independence movement. See also * Korea Independence Party - Ahn Jae-hong was a member of the party here. ...

hosted the opening ceremony.

Mohammad Rasoulof Mohammad Rasoulof (; born 16 November 1972) is an Iranian independent filmmaker who lives in exile in Europe. He is known for several award-winning films, including '' The Twilight'' (2002), '' Iron Island'' (2005), '' Goodbye'' (2011)'','' '' Ma ...

, an Iranian film director was chosen as president of the competitive section 'New Currents' jury. The festival this year announced a Special Program in Focus, 'In Memory of

Lee Sun-kyun Lee Sun-kyun (; March 2, 1975 – December 27, 2023) was a South Korean actor. Internationally, he was best known for his role in Bong Joon-ho's Academy Award–winning film ''Parasite'' (2019), for which he won a Screen Actors Guild Award alo ...

' who died on December 27, 2023, and was known for his role in the Oscar winning film ''

Parasite Parasitism is a Symbiosis, close relationship between species, where one organism, the parasite, lives (at least some of the time) on or inside another organism, the Host (biology), host, causing it some harm, and is Adaptation, adapted str ...

''. He will also posthumously receive the Korean Film Achievement Award. The festival closed with the ceremony hosted by

Gong Myung Kim Dong-hyun (; born on May 26, 1994), known professionally as Gong Myung (), is a South Korean actor. He is a member of 5urprise. He is known for his roles in the television series ''The Bride of Habaek'' (2017), '' Revolutionary Love'' (2017) ...

and

Choi Soo-young Choi Soo-young (; born February 10, 1990), known mononymously as Sooyoung, is a South Korean singer, actress, and songwriter. She was a member of the short-lived Korean-Japanese singing duo Route 0 during 2002 in Japan. After returning to Sou ...

. '' Spirit World'', a fantasy-drama film directed by Singapore's

Eric Khoo Eric Khoo Kim Hai (born 27 March 1965) is a Singaporean film director and producer who is often credited for the revival of the Singapore modern film industry. Early life and education Born on 27 March 1965 in Singapore, Eric Khoo was the younge ...

and starring French actress

Catherine Deneuve Catherine Fabienne Dorléac (born 22 October 1943), known professionally as Catherine Deneuve (, , ), is a French actress. She is considered one of the greatest European actresses on film. In 2020, ''The New York Times'' ranked her as one of th ...

was screened as closing film. On closing day, the main award of the festival

New Currents New Currents is a competitive section of Busan International Film Festival's official selection. The section was introduced at the festival's inaugural edition, in 1996. It showcases the first or second feature films by up-and-coming Asian direct ...

Award was awarded to the South Korean film ''The Land Of Morning Calm'' by Park Yi-woong, set among inhabitants of a rural coastal community; and a co-production film ''Ma – Cry of Silence'' by The Maw Nang, a film about a young Burmese woman who moves to the big city to work in a garment factory.

Overview

The film registration for the festival began in March 2024 with the closing date for submission fixed for July 17, 2024. The poster for 29th edition of the festival was unveiled on August 27, 2024. Based on the motif of numerous waves powerfully rising in the ocean of films, symbolically capturing the diverse waves of films, each with their own story, the art director Choi Soon-dae, who has been working as an art director since the 2nd Busan International Film Festival planned and designed it. According to the director Choi Soon-dae, "The image of the ocean, a space of infinite possibilities, and waves of different colors coming together is so vivid that it seems to visualize a fleeting moment of the Busan International Film Festival." This year documentary filmmakers competed for a new prize, an audience award for feature documentaries. The prize was given to a single documentary feature competing within "Wide Angle – Documentary" section of the festival. The titles for New Currents and Jiseok, the competitive sections were announced on August 27, 2024. New Currents is a section for first and second films by up-and-coming Asian filmmakers, whereas Jiseok section selects films from Asian directors with more than three feature films to their credit and honours two such directors with Jiseok awards. On September 3, BIFF unveiled full line-up for its 2024 edition and announced

Kiyoshi Kurosawa is a Japanese film director, screenwriter, film critic, author, actor, and a former professor at Tokyo University of the Arts (2005-2023). Noted for his psychological films that often focus on ambiguous narratives and on their characters' i ...

the winner of Asian Filmmaker of the Year award. The opening film of the festival was

's ''

'' and closing film

's France, Singapore, Japan co-production '' Spirit World'', a fantasy film starring French actress

. From this edition, the "Camellia Award" was introduced, named after Busan’s city flower, the camellia. This award, established with the involvement of

Chanel Chanel ( , ) is a French luxury fashion house founded in 1910 by Coco Chanel in Paris. It is privately owned by French brothers, Alain and Gérard Wertheimer, through the holding company Chanel Limited, established in 2018 and headquarte ...

, aims to raise the status of women in the film industry. Ryu Seong-hie, South Korean film art director is the first recipient of the award. The eve event to wish the success of the festival was held on October 1, at the outdoor stage of BIFF Square in Jung-gu, Busan. The event hosted by South Korean actress, singer-songwriter, director and artist

Ku Hye-sun Koo Hye-sun (; born November 9, 1984) is a South Korean actress, singer-songwriter, director and artist. She gained widespread recognition in the television dramas '' Hearts of Nineteen'' (2006), ''The King And I'' (2007), ''Boys Over Flowers'' ...

and creator Lee Seung-guk had celebratory performances by singer , and DJ 'New Jinsnim's' DJing. In the event, South Korean actor

Cho Jin-woong Cho Jin-woong (; born March 3, 1976), born Jo Won-jun (), is a South Korean actor. He is best known for his roles in the films '' Nameless Gangster: Rules of the Time'' (2012), '' The Admiral: Roaring Currents'' (2014), ''Assassination'' (2015), ...

, who was selected as the ‘Actor Beloved by Busan’ this year, received a plaque of appreciation, and a handprint unveiling ceremony for Hong Kong actor and filmmaker

Chow Yun-fat Chow Yun-fat (born 18 May 1955), previously known as Donald Chow, is a Hong Kong actor and filmmaker. Known for his versatility, encompassing action to melodrama and comedy and historical drama, his accolades include three Hong Kong Film Awar ...

, who visited the festival last year, was also held.

Jury

New Currents Award

, Iranian independent filmmaker who lives in exile in Europe, (Chairman of jury) *

Lee Myung-se Lee Myung-se (; born August 20, 1957) is a South Korean filmmaker. Lee began his career as an assistant producer under Bae Chang-ho for the films ''Hwang Jin-I'' (1986), ''Our Sweet Days of Youth'' (1988), and ''Dream'' (1990). At the 1991 Asia ...

, South Korean filmmaker *

Zhou Dongyu Zhou Dongyu ( zh, c=周冬雨; born 31 January 1992) is a Chinese actress. She first gained recognition after appearing in Zhang Yimou's film '' Under the Hawthorn Tree'' (2010). She was also chosen by '' Southern Metropolis Daily'' as one of t ...

, Chinese actress *

Kani Kusruti Kani Kusruti is an Indian actress known primarily for her work in Malayalam films. She first gained recognition in 2009 with the film ''Kerala Cafe'', in which her performance was critically acclaimed. Kani won the Kerala State Film Award for Be ...

, Indian actress and model *

Vanja Kaludjercic Vanja is a given name. It was originally a nickname for Ivan. People with this name include: *Vanja Babić (born 1981), Serbian taekwondo athlete * Vanja Blomberg (born 1929), Swedish gymnast and Olympic champion *Vanja Brodnik (born 1989), Slove ...

, Croatia-born festival programmer, festival director,

International Film Festival Rotterdam International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR) is an annual film festival held at the end of January in various locations in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, focused on independent and experimental films. The inaugural festival took place in June 1972, ...

Kim Jiseok Award

* Christian Jeune, French, director of Film Department at the

Cannes Film Festival The Cannes Film Festival (; ), until 2003 called the International Film Festival ('), is the most prestigious film festival in the world. Held in Cannes, France, it previews new films of all genres, including documentaries, from all around ...

Prasanna Vithanage Udaya Prasanna Vithanage () (born 14 March 1962) is a Sri Lankan filmmaker. He is widely regarded as one of the most talented and influential filmmakers in South Asia. He is known for thought-provoking films that often deals with social, polit ...

, Sri Lankan, filmmaker *

Shin Su-won Shin Su-won (born 1967) is a South Korean film director and screenwriter. Shin wrote and directed ''Passerby #3'' (2010), ''Pluto (2013 film), Pluto'' (2013) and ''Madonna (2015 film), Madonna'' (2015). Her short film ''Circle Line'' won the Cana ...

, South Korean film director and screenwriter

BIFF Mecenat Award

Mohsen Makhmalbaf Mohsen Makhmalbaf (, ) (born May 29, 1957) is an Iranian film director, writer, film editor, and producer. He has made more than 20 feature films, won 50 awards, and served as a juror in more than 15 major film festivals. His award-winning films ...

, Iranian documentary film director * Fuzioka Asako, Japanese, chairman of

Yamagata International Documentary Film Festival The Yamagata International Documentary Film Festival is a documentary film festival held biennially in Yamagata, Japan ( ). It was first held in October 1989, which makes it one of the longest- running documentary film festivals in the world ...

* Jéro Yun, South Korean film director

Sonje Award

* Yamanaka Yoko, Japanese director * Constance Tsang, Chinese American filmmaker based in New York *

Lim Dae-hyung Lim Dae-hyung (; born 28 July 1986) is a South Korean film director and screenwriter. Personal life Born in 1986, Lim graduated from Geumsan High School. He majored in Theatre & Film at Hanyang University Hanyang University (HYU, ) is a P ...

, South Korean film director and screenwriter

FIPRESCI

* Teréz VINCZE, Hungarian film professor * WANG Hsin, Taiwanese writer * RHEE Souewon, Chair of South Korean FIPRESCI

NETPAC

* IGARASHI Kohei, Japanese director * Herman VAN EYKEN, Belgium film professor * KIM Miyoung, South Korean director

DGK PLUS M Award

* Kim Lokk-young, South Korean director *

Lee Dong-eun Lee Dong-eun (; born 1978) is a South Korean film director and screenwriter. Career Lee, an economics major at Sungkyunkwan University, is from Myung Films Institute's Film Directing major graduating class. He developed and produced his first ...

, South Korean film director and screenwriter * Lee Ho-jae, South Korean film director and screenwriter

KBS Independent Film Awards

* Junh Sung-il, South Korean film critic, director * Choi Kook-hee, South Korean producer * An Eun-mi, South Korean film producer

CGK Cinematography Award

* Park Jung-hun, South Korean cinematographer * Sung Seung-taek, South Korean cinematographer * Cho Yong-kyou, South Korean cinematographer

Critic B Award

* Kim Young-gwang, South Korean film critic * Han Changwook, South Korean film critic * Ham Yoon-jeong, South Korean film critic

Actor of the Year Award

* Kim Sun-young, South Korean actress *

Ryu Jun-yeol Ryu Jun-yeol (; born September 25, 1986) is a South Korean actor, activist, and photographer. Ryu began his acting career in independent films and gained attention for his role in the feature film '' Socialphobia'' (2015). He rose to internatio ...

, South Korean actor

Lee Chun-yeon Film Impression Award

* Kang Je-ky South Korean film director. * Shim Jae-myung South Korean, CEO of Myung Films *

Yoo Ji-tae Yoo Ji-tae (; born April 13, 1976) is a South Korean actor. After a stint as a fashion model, Yoo launched his acting career in 1998 then rose to fame through the films '' Attack the Gas Station'' (1999) and '' Ditto'' (2000). In the succeeding ...

, South Korean actor * Kwon Young-rak, South Korean producer * Jung Han-seok, South Korean, festival advisor

Opening and closing ceremonies

Opening ceremony of the festival was held at Busan Cinema Center Outdoor Theater on October 2 and broadcast live on

Naver TV Naver TV (; formerly Naver TV Cast) is a South Korean Streaming service, online video streaming and Online video platform, video sharing service developed and operated by Naver. The service primarily distributes web dramas and entertainment sho ...

and

hosted the opening ceremony attended by the Korean and international stars from the film industry.

was presented the Asian Filmmaker of the Year award, whereas Ryu Seong-hie, a South Korean film art director was honoured with Camellia Award, which named after Busan’s city flower, the camellia, introduced this year with the involvement of Chanel and aims to raise the status of women in the film industry. A video commemorating the late

, the recipient of the Korean Film Achievement Award was played.

Closing ceremony

and

acted as master of ceremonies of closing ceremony held at Busan Cinema Center Outdoor Theater on October 11. According to the Busan Film Festival Organizing Committee, 278 films, including 224 official from 63 countries and 54 community BIFF screenings were showcased. 145,238 people watched the event. The festival closed with '' Spirit World'', a fantasy-drama film directed by Singapore's

and starring French actress

Events

* Actors House: In this edition the following actors shared unknown behind-the-scenes stories and their future plans with the audience: **

Sul Kyung-gu Sul Kyung-gu (; born May 14, 1967) is a South Korean actor. Upon his graduation in 1994, he appeared in numerous theatrical productions, such as the hit Korean adaptation of the German rock musical '' Subway Line 1'', and productions of Sam Shep ...

Hwang Jung-min Hwang Jung-min (; born September 1, 1970) is a South Korean actor. He established himself as a leading man in the romantic drama ''You Are My Sunshine'' (2005). One of the highest-grossing actors in South Korea, Hwang has starred in several box ...

Chun Woo-hee Chun Woo-hee (; born April 20, 1987) is a South Korean actress. She made her acting debut in 2004, but first drew attention with her supporting role as a rebellious teenager in the box-office hit '' Sunny'' (2011). Her other notable roles inclu ...

Actors House was held from October 3 to 6 at Culture Hall, 9F,

Shinsegae Shinsegae Inc. (, ) is a South Korean department store Franchising, franchise, along with several other businesses, headquartered in Seoul, South Korea. The firm is an affiliate of Shinsegae Group, South Korea's leading retail ''chaebol'', and ...

, Centum City. * Master class: **

Ann Hui Ann Hui On-wah, (; born 23 May 1947) is a film director, producer, screenwriter and actress from Hong Kong who is one of the most critically acclaimed filmmakers of the Hong Kong New Wave. She is known for her films about social issues in ...

, Hong Kong film director, producer, screenwriter and actress ** Miguel Gomes, Portuguese film director **

, Japanese film director, screenwriter, film critic, author, actor, and professor Master classes was held from October 3 to 6 at 11F Conference Hall, Busan Film & Audio Visual Industry Center * Open Talk: The open talk will be held from October 3 to 9 at BIFF Outdoor Stage, Busan Cinema Center. Directors and actors of the official selection to the festival will freely communicate with the audience for about 50 minutes. * Talk-to-Talk: Vivid Stories from Directors and Actors: Talk-to-Talk: Vivid Stories from Directors and Actors of 36 films in about an hour session with the audience, will be held from October 6 to 9 at 6F Talk-to-Talk Lounge, Cine mountain, Busan Cinema Center. * Hand printing: Hand printing event will be attended by Miguel Gomes, winner of the Best Director Award at the

. The event was held on October 4, after the screening of his film '' Grand Tour'' at Haneulyeon Theater, Busan Cinema Center. * Special talk: Special Talks to commemorate the late actor

, joined by actors and directors with whom he collaborated in his major works selected for the Special Program in Focus was held On October 3 and 4, at

Lotte Cinema Lotte Cinema () started as the Cinema Business Division under Lotte Shopping in 1999 with the concept of focusing on launching a new entertainment era. As part of the rapid growth of the Korean film industry in the early 2000s, Lotte Cinema expa ...

, Centum City. * Outdoor stage greetings: Meet the Directors and Cast:- Directors and cast members of the official selections introduce their film. Each event for 20 minutes, will take place from October 3 to 5 at BIFF Theater, Busan Cinema Center. *

2024 Asia Contents Awards & Global OTT Awards The 2024 Asia Contents Awards & Global OTT Awards (), presented by Ministry of Science and ICT and Busan Metropolitan City, took place on October 6, 2024, at BIFF Theater, Busan Cinema Center, Busan, South Korea. The awards ceremony was organ ...

: The awards ceremony to recognise the achievements of excellent content made for TV, OTT, and online across Asia, took place on October 6, 2024, at BIFF Theater, Busan Cinema Center, Busan, South Korea.

Program sections

The festival has following sections: * Gala Presentation *

Icons An icon () is a religious work of art, most commonly a painting, in the cultures of the Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, Catholic, and Lutheran churches. The most common subjects include Jesus, Mary, saints, and angels. Although especially ...

* Jiseok * A Window on Asian Cinema * Korean Cinema Today Vision Section * Korean Cinema Today - Special Premiere * Korean Cinema Today - Panorama *

World Cinema World cinema is a term in film theory in the United States that refers to films made outside of the American motion picture industry, particularly those in opposition to the aesthetics and values of commercial American cinema.Nagib, Lúcia. ...

Flash Forward A flashforward (also spelled flash-forward, and more formally known as prolepsis) is a scene that temporarily takes the narrative forward in time from the current point of the story in literature, film, television and other media. Flashforwards a ...

Wide Angle ''Wide Angle'' is the debut studio album by Welsh breakbeat group Hybrid (Welsh band), Hybrid. It was released to critical acclaim, described by ''The Times'' as "one of the most moving pieces of electronic music ever". The album was re-relea ...

* Open Cinema * Midnight Passion * On Screen * Special Program in Focus ** In Memory of Lee Sun-kyun ** Miguel Gomes, a filmmaker of Joyful Melancholy ** Teenage Minds, Teenage Movies ** Special Screening

Opening and closing films

Source:

Gala Presentation

Icons

New Currents

The selected titles are eligible for multiple awards, including the New Currents Award, the FIPRESCI Award, the NETPAC Award, and the KB New Currents Audience Award. :Highlighted title indicates award winner

Jiseok

This section selected films from Asian directors with a portfolio of more than three feature films, and from the line-up of eight films, two were honoured with Jiseok awards. :Highlighted title indicates award winner

A Window on Asian Cinema

Korean Cinema Today - Vision Section

This year 12 films were showcased as world premiere.

Korean Cinema Today - Special Premiere

This year, the section will screen five films, including four world premieres.

Korean Cinema Today - Panorama

World Cinema

Open Cinema

A collection of new and internationally acclaimed films, offering an ideal mix of the popular with the artistic are screened at the hallmark outdoor theater.

Flash Forward

Wide Angle

Korean Short Film Competition

:Highlighted title indicates award winner

Asian Short Film Competition

:Highlighted title indicates award winner

Short Film Showcase

Documentary Competition

:Highlighted title indicates award winner

Documentary Showcase

Midnight Passion

A collection of thrillers, horror and action films.

On Screen

In this section 4 Korean 1 Taiwanese and 1 Japanese works will be released for the first time in the world.

Special program in focus

In Memory of Lee Sun-kyun

The festival will hold 'In Memory of

', a special feature program and screen six of the late actor's works and hold a special talk, while looking back on his acting life and achievements and creating a meaningful memorial.

Miguel Gomes, a filmmaker of Joyful Melancholy

Miguel Gomes has been invited to the festival, where his eight full-length films will be screened.

Teenage Minds, Teenage Movies

Special Screening

Awards and winners

Award: ** ''The Land of Morning Calm'' ** '' MA - Cry of Silence'' * KIM Jiseok Award: ** '' Village Rockstars 2'',

Rima Das Rima Das (born 1977) is an Indian filmmaker best known for her 2017 film '' Village Rockstars'', which won several national and international awards and became India's official entry for the 90th Academy Awards in the Best Foreign Language Film ...

, India ** ''

Yen and Ai-Lee ''Yen and Ai-Lee'' () is a 2024 Taiwanese drama film directed and written by Tom Lin Shu-yu. Starring Kimi Hsia, Yang Kuei-mei, Sam Tseng, and Ng Ki-pin, the film explores themes of domestic violence and follows the reconciliation between a y ...

'' by

Tom Lin Shu-yu Thomas Lin Shu-yu (; born 1976) is a Taiwanese director and screenwriter. After the critical success of his first two features, ''Winds of September'' (2008), for which he won Golden Horse Award for Best Original Screenplay, Best Original Screen ...

, Taiwan * Sonje Award: ** ''Yurim'' by Song Ji-seo, South Korea ** ''A Garden In Winter'' by Eléonore Mahmoudian, Matsui Hiroshi, Japan, France * BIFF Mecenat Award ** ''Works And Days'' by Park Min-soo, Ahn Kearn-hyung, South Korea ** ''Another Home'' by Frankie Sin, Taiwan, Hong Kong, France * Actors of the Year: ** Yoo Lee-ha, ''The Final Semester'', Actor, South Korea ** Park Seoyun, ''Humming'', Actress, South Korea * KB New Currents Audience Award: ** ''The Land of Morning Calm'' by Park Ri-woong * Flash Forward Audience Award: ** '' Memories of a Burning Body'', by Antonella Sudasassi Furniss, Costa Rica, Spain * Documentary Audience Award: ''K-Number'' by Jo Se-young * FIPRESCI Award: '' Tale of the Land'' by Loeloe Hendra * NETPAC Award: ''The Land of Morning Calm'' by Park Ri-woong * The Choon-yun Award ** Park Kwan-su, producer, South Korea * Camellia Award: Ryu Seong-hie, South Korean film art director or production designer * DGK PLUS M Award: ** ''The Final Semester'', by Lee Ran-hee ** ''Red Nails'', by Hwang Seulgi * CGV Award:'' Fragment, by Kim Sung-yoon * KBS Independent Film Award: ''The Final Semester'', by Lee Ran-hee * CGK Award: ''Waterdrop'', cinematographer: Kang Jong-su * Critic b Award: ''Inserts'', by Lee Jong-su * Chorokbaem Media Award: ** ''Waterdrop'', by Choi Jong-yong ** ''Fragment'', by Kim Sung-yoon * Watcha Short Award: ''Lost Target'', by Kim Dong-eun * Songwon Citizen Critics’ Award: ''The Final Semester'', by Lee Ran-hee * Busan Cinephile Award: '' No Other Land'', by

Yuval Abraham Yuval Abraham (; born 1995) is an Israeli Investigative journalism, investigative journalist, film director, and Arabic–Hebrew translator. He rose to international prominence when he co-directed ''No Other Land'' (2024), an Academy_Award_for_B ...

Basel Adra Basel Adra (or Al-Adra; or ; born June 13, 1996) is a State of Palestine, Palestinian film director, lawyer and journalist. He has documented attempts by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to expel Palestinian villagers from the Israeli occupation ...

, Hamdan Ballal, Rachel Szor, Palestine, Norway

Notes

References

External links

* {{Kim Jiseok Award

Busan International Film Festival The Busan International Film Festival (BIFF; ), formerly the Pusan International Film Festival (PIFF), held annually in Haeundae District, Busan, South Korea, is one of the most significant film festivals in Asia. The first festival, held fro ...

Busan International Film Festival