Busan International Film Festival

The Busan International Film Festival (BIFF), formerly the Pusan International Film Festival (PIFF), held annually in Haeundae-gu, Busan, South Korea, is one of the most significant film festivals in Asia.[1] The first festival, held from 13 to 21 September 1996, was also the first international film festival in Korea.

Busan International Film Festival
Busan International Film Festival Logo
LocationBusan, South Korea
Founded13 September 1996; 27 years ago (1996-09-13)
Most recent2023
AwardsNew Currents and others
No. of films269 in 2023
LanguageInternational
Websitewww.biff.kr
Current: 28th
29th
Busan International Film Festival
Hangul
Hanja
Revised RomanizationBusan-Gukje-Yeonghwaje
McCune–ReischauerPusan-Kukche-Yŏnghwache
2006 BIFF Pavilion in Haeundae Beach
The Opening Film Under the Hawthorn Tree by the dir. Zhang Yimou, 2010
Handprinting, Abbas Kiarostami Juliette Binoche, 2010
Handprinting, Willem Dafoe, 2010
Master Class, Carlos Saura, 2010

The main focus of the BIFF is to introduce new films and first-time directors, especially those from Asian countries. Another notable feature is the appeal of the festival to young people, both in terms of the large youthful audience it attracts and through its efforts to develop and promote young talent.

In 1999, the Pusan Promotion Plan (renamed Asian Project Market in 2011) was established to connect new directors to funding sources. The 16th BIFF in 2011 saw the festival move to a new permanent home, the Busan Cinema Center in Centum City.[2][3]

History

1990s

  • 1st Busan International Film Festival, 13–21 September 1996
Films screened: 173 films from 31 countries
Opening Film: Secrets & Lies, Mike Leigh, UK/France
Closing Film: In Expectation, Ming Zhang, China
Participating guests: 224 guests from 27 countries
Total audience: 184,071
  • 2nd Busan International Film Festival, 10–18 October 1997
Films screened: 163 films from 33 countries
Opening Film: Chinese Box, Wayne Wang, UK/France/USA/Japan
Closing Film: Eighteen Springs, Ann Hui, Hong Kong-China
Participating guests: 450 guests from 30 countries
Total audience: 170,206
  • 3rd Busan International Film Festival, 24 September – 1 October 1998
Films screened: 211 films from 41 countries
Opening Film: The Silence, Mohsen Makhmalbaf, Iran/France
Closing Film: Kanzo sensei, Shohei Imamura, Japan
Participating guests: 659 guests from 25 countries
Total audience: 192,547 (paid audiences: 174,870)
  • 4th Busan International Film Festival, 14–23 October 1999
Films screened: 207 films from 53 countries
Opening Film: Peppermint Candy, Lee Chang-Dong, Korea
Closing Film: Not One Less, Zhang Yimou, China
Participating guests: 555 guests from 36 countries
Total audience: 180,914

2000s

  • 5th Busan International Film Festival, 6–14 October 2000
Films screened: 207 films from 55 countries
Opening Film: The Wrestlers, Buddhadeb Dasgupta, India
Closing Film: In the Mood for Love, Wong Kar-wai, Hong Kong-China
Participating guests: 3017 guests from 39 countries
Total audience: 181,708 people
  • 6th Busan International Film Festival, 9–17 November 2001
Films screened: 201 films from 60 countries
Opening Film: The Last Witness, Bae Chang-ho, Korea
Closing Film: The Legend of Suriyothai, Chatrichalerm Yukol, Thailand
Participating guests: 3,761 guests from 30 countries
Total audience: 143,103 people
  • 7th Busan International Film Festival, 14–23 November 2002
Films screened: 226 films from 57 countries
Opening Film: The Coast Guard, Kim Ki-duk, Korea
Closing Film: Dolls, Kitano Takeshi, Japan
Participating guests: 4,387 guests from 35 countries
Total audience: 167,349 people
  • 8th Busan International Film Festival, 2–10 October 2003
Films screened: 243 works from 61 countries
Opening Film: Doppelganger, Kiyoshi Kurosawa, Japan
Closing Film: Acacia, Park Ki-hyung, Korea
Participating guests: 2,523 people from 44 countries
Invited guests: 4,387 people from 50 countries (Inc. PPP& Press)
Total audience: 165,102(paid audiences: 145,041)
  • 9th Busan International Film Festival, 7–15 October 2004
Films screened: Total 262 films from 63 countries
Opening Film: 2046, Wong Kar-wai, Hong Kong-China
Closing Film: The Scarlet Letter, Daniel H. Byun, Korea
Participating guests: Total 5,638 guests from 50 countries
Total audience: 166,164
  • 10th Busan International Film Festival, 6–14 October 2005
Films screened: 307 films from 73 countries
Opening Film: Three Times, Hou Hsiao-hsien, Taiwan
Closing Film: Wedding Campaign, Hwang Byung-kook, Korea
Participating guests: 6,088 from 55 countries
Total audience: 192,970
  • 11th Busan International Film Festival, 12–20 October 2006
Films screened: 245 films from 63 countries
Opening Film: Traces of Love, Kim Dae-seung, Korea
Closing Film: Crazy Stone, Ning Hao, China/Hong Kong-China
Participating guests: 8,321 from 51 countries (inc. ASIAN FILM MARKET & press)
Total audience: 162,835
  • 12th Busan International Film Festival, 4–12 October 2007
Films Screened: 271 films from 64 countries in 770 screenings
Opening Film: Assembly, Feng Xiaogang, China
Closing Film: Evangelion 1.0: You Are (Not) Alone, Kazuya Tsurumaki, Hideaki Anno, Masayuki, Japan
Participating guests: 7,361(exc. ASIAN FILM MARKET)
Total audience: 198,603
  • 13th Busan International Film Festival, 2–10 October 2008
Films screened: 315 films from 60 countries. 827 screenings.
Opening Film: The Gift to Stalin, Rustem Abdrashev, Russia/Kazakhstan/Israel/Poland
Closing Film: I Am Happy, Yoon Jong-chan, Korea
Participating guests: 11,110 in total (inc. ASIAN FILM MARKET)
Total audience: 198,818
Films Screened: 355 films from 70 countries. 803 screenings.
World Premiere: 98 Films (72 Feature Films, 26 Short Films)
International Premiere: 46 Films (41 Feature Films, 5 Short Films)
Opening Film: Good Morning President, Jang Jin, Korea
Closing Film: The Message, Gao Qunshu, Chen Kuo-fu, China
Invited Guests (exc. Asian Film Market): 8,602 in total (Guests: 6,400, Press: 2,202)
Total audience: 173,516

2010s

Entrance to BIFF Cone with 2016 branding
Films Screened: 306 films from 67 countries(101 World Premieres / 52 International Premieres)
Screening Venue: Total of 232,851 seats and 36 screens at 6 theaters
Opening Film: Under the Hawthorn Tree, Zhang Yimou, China
Closing Film: Camellia, Wisit Sasanatieng, Isao Yukisada, Jang Joon-hwan, Thailand/Japan/Korea
Participating guests: 9,367
3,784 from Korea
906 from out of Korea
1,651 Cinephiles
789 Market participants
2,237 Press Accreditations
Total audience: 182,046
Films Screened: 307 films from 70 countries[4](86 World Premieres / 45 International Premieres)
Screening Venue: Total of 235,907 seats and 36 screens at 5 theaters
Opening Film: Always, Song Il-gon, South Korea
Closing Film: Chronicle of My Mother, Masato Harada, Japan
Participating guests: 11,268
Domestic: 4,482
International: 765
Cinephile: 1,999
Market: 1,080
Busan Cinema Forum: 502
Accredited Press: 2,440
* Market and Forum participants include only the numbers accredited with the Badge
Total audience: 196,177[4]
Films Screened: 304 films from 75 countries(96 World Premieres / 39 International Premieres)
Screening Venue: 37 screens at 7 theaters
Opening Film: Cold War, Longman Leung, Sunny Luk, Hong Kong
Closing Film: Television, Mostofa Sarwar Farooki, Bangladesh
Participating guests: 11,519
Domestic: 4,830
International: 806
Cinephile: 2,149
Market: 1,098
Busan Cinema Forum: 279
Accredited Press: 2,357
Total audience: 221,002
Films Screened: 299 films from 70 countries(94 World Premieres / 40 International Premieres)
Screening Venue: 35 screens at 7 theaters (Market and unofficial screenings excluded)
Opening Film: Vara: A Blessing, Khyentse Norbu, Bhutan
Closing Film: The Dinner, Kim Dong-hyun, Korea
Participating guests: 9,991
Domestic: 3,423
Foreign: 751
Cinephile: 1,667
Market: 1,272
BC&F: 616
Accredited Press: 2,262(Domestic: 1,963, Foreign:299)
Total audience: 217,865
Films Screened: 312 from 79 countries(96 World Premieres / 36 International Premieres)
Screening Venue: 33 screens at 7 theaters (Market and unofficial screenings excluded)
Opening Film: Paradise in Service, Doze Niu, Taiwan
Closing Film: Gangster Payday, Lee Po-cheung, Hong Kong
Participating guests: 10,173
Domestic: 3,362
Foreign: 775
Cinephile: 1,429
Market: 1,566
BC&F: 750
Accredited Press: 2,291
Total audience: 226,473
Films Screened: 302 from 75 countries(94 World Premieres / 31 International Premieres)
Screening Venue: 35 screens at 6 theaters (Market and unofficial screenings excluded)
Opening Film: Zubaan, Mozez Singh, India
Closing Film: Mountain Cry, Larry Yang, China/United States
Participating guests: 9,685
Domestic: 3,226
Foreign: 775
Cinephile: 1,405
Market: 1,571
BC&F: 403
Accredited Press: 2,325
Total audience: 227,377
Films Screened: 299 from 69 countries
Opening Film: A Quiet DreamZhang Lu, Korea
Closing Film: The Dark Wind, Hussein Hassan, Iraq/Germany/Qatar
Participating guests: 5,759, excluding the press
Total audience: 165,149
Films Screened: 300 from 76 countries
Opening Film: Glass GardenShin Su-won, South Korea
Closing Film: Love Education, Sylvia Chang, China/Taiwan
Total audience: 192,991
Films Screened: 324 from 79 countries
Opening Film: Beautiful Days - Jéro Yun, South Korea
Closing Film: Master Z: The Ip Man Legacy, Yuen Woo-ping, Hong Kong/China
Total audience: 191,000
Films Screened: 299 from 85 countries
Opening Film: The Horse Thieves. Roads of Time - Yerlan Nurmukhambetov, Lisa Takeba, Kazakhstan/Japan
Closing Film: Moonlit Winter - Lim Dae-hyung, South Korea
Total audience: 189,116

2020s

Busan Cinema Center, BIFF 2023
BIFF opening ceremony, 2023
Films Screened: 192 films from 68 countries
Opening Film: Septet: The Story of Hong Kong - Johnnie To, Ringo Lam, Hark Tsui, Sammo Hung, Ann Hui, Patrick Tam Yuen, Wo Ping, Hong Kong, China/China
Closing Film: Josee, the Tiger and the Fish - Tamura Kotaro, Japan
Total audience: 20,135
Films Screened: 223 films from 70 countries
Opening Film: Heaven: To the Land of Happiness by Im Sang-soo
Closing Film: Anita byLongman Leung
Total audience:76,072[8]
Films Screened: 242 films from 71 countries
Opening Film: Scent of Wind - Hadi Mohaghegh, Iran
Closing Film: A Man - Ishikawa Kei, Japan
Films Screened: 269 films from 69 countries
Opening Film: Because I Hate Korea - Jang Kun-jae, South Korea
Closing Film: The Movie Emperor - Ning Hao, China

Official program sections

Gala Presentation Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps, 2010
Gala Presentation Raavan & Raavanan, 2010

The Busan International Film Festival is organised in various sections[11]

  • Gala Presentation: Gala Presentation screens new master cineastes, films, and premieres.
  • Icons: A showcase of the latest films of contemporary iconic filmmakers from around the world.
  • Jiseok: A competition section for established Asian filmmakers with three or more feature films. The two best films are presented with the KIM Jiseok Award. The award was created in commemoration of the late Kim Jiseok, program director who devoted his life to nurture and support Asian cinema.
  • A Window on Asian Cinema: A showcase of new and/or representative films by Asian filmmakers.
  • New Currents: The only international competition section featuring the first or the second feature films by future directors of Asian cinema.
  • Korean Cinema Today: Selected Korean feature films are shown in three sub-sections, Special Premiere, Panorama and Vision. These three sub-sections recognise the current production trend of Korean cinema and anticipate its future.
  • Korean Cinema Retrospective: Revisiting the history of Korean cinema by spotlighting films of a certain notable director or films with a significant theme.
  • World Cinema: Presentation of new works by filmmakers along with films that help understanding the recent trends in world cinema.
  • Flash Forward: This section is a collection of first or second films of up-and-coming filmmakers from non-Asian countries.
  • Wide Angle: A section showing short films, animation, documentaries, and experimental films.
  • Open Cinema: outdoor screening venue where a collection of new films, combining both art and mass popularity, are shown.
  • Midnight Passion: A collection of horror, SF, and thriller films that are certain to keep diehard film fans awake throughout the night.
  • On Screen: Presentation of highly anticipated or most talked about drama series of the year.
  • Special Programs in Focus: A retrospective and special showcase of films of a certain notable director or genre.

Official divisions

Asian Film Market
PPP(Pusan Promotion Plan) meeting
  • Asian Film Market: Launched in 2006 as a marketplace for the industry events at the Busan International Film Festival.
    • Asian Project Market (former PPP: Pusan Promotion Plan) is a pre-market.
  • Asian Cinema Fund: The Asian Cinema Fund is a funding program to help activate more independent film productions and to set up a stable production environment. It supports projects in various stages and categories. The 900 million won (approximately US$900,000) Asian Cinema Fund will be used to provide support to seven projects in script development, five post-productions, and thirteen documentary films.
    • The Script Development Fund is aimed at helping screenwriters complete their scripts.
    • The Post-Production Fund is made possible through the support of Korean post-production companies and the Korean Film Council. With this fund, the director is invited to Korea to work on sound and DI with Korean post-production houses. It will help the director complete his or her film in 35mm.
    • The Asian Network of Documentary Fund was initiated in 2002 and sponsored by six universities and corporations in the Busan region. As a part of the Busan International Film Festival, and holds master classes and clinics to stabilise the environment for documentary productions.
  • Asian Film Academy (AFA) is an educational program where prospective filmmakers and established directors from Asia gather to deliberate and prepare for the future of Asian cinema.
Asian Film Academy
  • Busan Cinema Forum (BCF) is an academic event for filmmakers and scholars, launched on 10 October 2011.[12] It aims to enhance the knowledge and support of the film industry and film aesthetics.

Awards

A number of awards are handed out each year, including:

The Asian Filmmaker of the Year

Tsai Ming-liang, Asian Filmmaker of the Year, Pusan International Film Festival 2010

The Asian Filmmaker of the Year(올해의 아시아영화인상) is granted to the Asian filmmaker who has made the most significant contribution to the advancement of Asian film industry and culture throughout the year.[13]

No.YearNameCountry/Region
82003Mohsen MakhmalbafIran
92004Hou Hsiao-hsienTaiwan
102005NHKJapan
112006Andy LauHong Kong
122007Edward Yang (1947–2007)Taiwan
132008Gulnara SarsenovaKazakhstan
142009Yash ChopraIndia[14]
152010Tsai Ming-liangTaiwan
162011Tsui HarkHong Kong
172012Kōji WakamatsuJapan
182013Rithy PanhCambodia
192014Ann HuiHong Kong
202015Studio GhibliJapan
212016Abbas KiarostamiIran
222017Seijun SuzukiJapan
232018Ryuichi SakamotoJapan[15]
242019Hirokazu Kore-edaJapan[16]
262021Im Kwon-taekSouth Korea[17]
272022Tony LeungHong Kong, China[18]
282023Chow Yun-fatHong Kong[19]

Korean Cinema Award

The Korean Cinema Award(한국영화공로상) is presented to cineastes that have made a notable contribution in the globalization of Korean cinema.[13]

No.YearNameCountry
11996Adriano ApràItaly
Tony RaynsUK
Alain JalladeauFrance
Ulrich GregorGermany
Larry KadishUSA
Ancha Flubacher-RhimSwitzerland
Simon FieldUK
21997Aruna VasudevIndia
Sato TadaoJapan
31998Gilles JacobFrance
Moritz de HadelnGermany
41999Serge LosiqueCanada
Lee Young-ilSouth Korea
52000Martin & Anna Louisa GirodSwitzerland
62001Eva ZaoralováCzech Republic
72002Alain PatelFrance
82003Park Byoung-yangJapan
Lee Bong-ouJapan
92004Yano KazuykiJapan
Phillip CheahSingapore
102005Dieter KosslickGermany
Thierry FremauxFrance
112006Martial KnaebellSwitzerland
Terawaki KenJapan
122007Sabrina BaracettiItaly
Jean-Francois RaugerFrance
132008Richard PenaUSA
142009Riccardo GelliItaly
Jeannette Paulson HerenikoUSA
152010Bruno BardeFrance
162011Julietta SichelCzech Republic
172012Hayashi KanakoJapan
182013Charles TessonFrance
192014Corinne Siegrist-OboussierSwitzerland
202015Wieland SpeckGerman
212016Laurence HerszbergFrance
222017Christoph TerhechteGermany
232018Martine ThérouanneFrance
Jean-Marc ThérouanneFrance
242019Bae YongjaeSouth Korea
Yoo DongsukSouth Korea
262021Lee Choon-yunSouth Korea[20]
272022Goran TopalovicUS[21]
282023Yoon Jeong-heeSouth Korea[22]

The Choon-yun Award

The Choon-yun Award(이춘연 영화인상) was established in honor of the late Chairman of the Korean Association of Film Art & Industry, Lee Choon-yun. This award is given to one newly emerging producer with a cash prize of KRW 10,000,000, sponsored by IOK Company.[13]

No.YearNameCountry
272022Baek JaehoSouth Korea
282023Kim Ji-yeonSouth Korea

New Currents Award

The New Currents Award(뉴 커런츠상) is given to the two best feature films selected from the first or second feature of new Asian directors introduced in the New Currents section. A grand prize of USD 30,000 is awarded to each film. The jury consists of world-renowned film experts who will choose winners to discover and encourage the hidden jewels of Asian cinema.[13][23]

No.YearFilmDirectorCountry/Region
11996Rain Clouds over WushanZhang MingChina
21997Motel CactusPark Ki-yongSouth Korea
31998Xiao WuJia ZhangkeChina
41999Timeless MelodyHiroshi OkuharaJapan
52000The Day I Became a WomanMarziyeh MeshkiniIran
62001Flower IslandSong Il-gonSouth Korea
72002Jealousy Is My Middle NamePark Chan-okSouth Korea
The Rite... A PassionK.N.T. SastryIndia
82003The MissingLee Kang-shengTaiwan
Tiny SnowflakesAlireza AminiIran
92004This Charming GirlLee Yun-kiSouth Korea
102005Grain in EarZhang LuChina
112006BetelnutHeng YangChina
Love Conquers AllTan Chui MuiMalaysia
122007Wonderful TownAditya AssaratThailand
Life TrackGuang Hao JinChina/Korea
Flower in the PocketLiew Seng TatMalaysia
132008Land of ScarecrowsRoh Gyeong-taeSouth Korea
Naked of DefensesMasahide IchiiJapan
142009Kick OffShawkat Amin KorkiIraq/Japan
I'm in TroubleSo Sang-minSouth Korea
152010The Journals of MusanPark Jung-bumSouth Korea
Bleak NightYoon Sung-hyunSouth Korea
162011MourningMorteza FarshbafIran
NinoLoy ArcenasPhilippines
17201236Nawapol ThamrongrattanaritThailand
KayanMaryam NajafiLebanon/Canada
182013PaschaAhn Sun-kyoungSouth Korea
Remote ControlByamba SakhyaMongolia/Germany
192014End of WinterKim Dae-hwanSouth Korea
202015ImmortalSeyed Hadi MohagheghIran
Walnut TreeYerlan NurmukhambetovKazakhstan
212016The DonorZang QiwuChina
Knife in the Clear WaterWang XueboChina
222017After My DeathKim Ui-seokKorea
BlockageMohsen GharaeiIran
232018Clean UpKwon Man-kiSouth Korea
SavageCui SiweiChina
242019Haifa StreetMohanad HayalIraq/Qatar
RomTran Thanh HuyVietnam
252020A Balance Harumoto YujiroJapan
Three Ruslan PakKazakhstan/ Korea/ Uzbekistan
262021The Apartment with Two WomenKim Se-inSouth Korea
Farewell, My HometownWang Er ZhouChina[24]
272022a Wild RoomerLee Jeong-hongSouth Korea
ShivammaJaishankar AryarIndia
282023The WrestlerIqbal ChowdhuryBangladesh
September 1923Tatsuya MoriJapan

Kim Jiseok Award

The KIM Jiseok Award(지석상), Established in 2017, is to remember and honor the late Kim Jiseok who devoted his whole life to discovering and supporting the growth of Asian cinema. The award is given to the films in the competition category for the Korean and Asian directors who have directed more than 3 feature films, and two best films are selected and awarded a cash prize of USD 10,000 each sponsored by BIFF Supporters Association.[25][13]

No.YearFilmDirectorCountry/Region
222017Malila: The Farewell FlowerAnucha BoonyawatanaThailand
The Scythian LambDaihachi YoshidaJapan
232018The RibZhang WeiChina
Rona, Azim's MotherJamshid MahmoudiAfghanistan/Iran
242019Circus of LifeSarmad KhoosatPakistan
MarketPradip KurbahIndia
252020Drowning in Holy WaterNavid MahmoudiAfghanistan/Iran
The SlaughterhouseAbbas AminiIran
262021The RapistAparna SenIndia[26]
Gensan PunchBrillante MendozaPhilippines
272022Scent of WindSeyed Hadi MohagheghIran
AlterationYalkin TuychievUzbekistan
282023ParadisePrasanna VithanageSri Lanka
Bride AbductionMirlan AbdikhalikovKyrgyzstan

BIFF Mecenat Award

BIFF Mecenat Award(비프메세나상) is granted to the best documentary from Korea and Asia in Wide Angle competitive section. The winner will be granted KRW 10,000,000 with the purpose of assisting their next production.[13]

No.YearFilmDirectorCountry/Region
Woonpa Award
11996Wind Echoing in My BeingJeon Soo-ilSouth Korea
21997The Six Day Fight in Myong Dong CathedralKim Dong-wonSouth Korea
31998Reclaiming Our NamesHong Hyung-sookSouth Korea
41999My Own BreathingByun Young-jooSouth Korea
MindullaeChoi Ha Dong-ha, Lee Jeong-soonSouth Korea
52000Sky-Blue HometownKim So-youngSouth Korea
62001FarewellHwang YunSouth Korea
72002On the Right TrackLee Ji-youngSouth Korea
Mudang: Reconciliation Between the Living and the DeadPark Ki-bokSouth Korea
82003And ThereafterLee Ho-supSouth Korea
92004What Do People Live For?Lee Jeong-soonSouth Korea
102005Coreen 2495Ha Joon-soSouth Korea
Annyoung SayonaraKim Tae-il, Kumiko KatōSouth Korea
112006Our SchoolKim Myeong-joonSouth Korea
People Crossing the RiverKim Duk-chulSouth Korea
122007Grandmother's FlowerMoon Jung-hyunSouth Korea
Renamed as BIFF Mecenat Award
132008MentalKazuhiro SodaJapan
Old PartnerLee Chung-ryoulSouth Korea
142009Earth's WomanKwon Woo-jungSouth Korea
The Other SongSaba DewanIndia
152010Miracle on Jongno StreetLee Hyuk-sangSouth Korea
New CastleGuo HengqiChina
162011Sea of ButterflyPark Bae-ilSouth Korea
Shoji & TakaoIde YokoJapan
172012AnxietyMin Hwan-kiSouth Korea
EmbersTamara StepanyanLebanon/Qatar/Armenia
182013Jalanan ("Streetside")Daniel ZivIndonesia
Non-fiction DiaryJung Yoon-sukSouth Korea
192014CollapseMun Jeong-hyun, Lee Won-wooSouth Korea
The Storm MakersGuillaume SuonCambodia
202015Boys RunKang Seok-pilSouth Korea
Look LoveYe YunChina
212016The Crescent RisingSheron DayocPhilippines
NeighborhoodSung Seung-taekSouth Korea
222017SoseongriPark Bae-ilSouth Korea
Sennan Asbestos DisasterKazuo HaraJapan
232018ArmyKelvin Park Kyung-kunSouth Korea
Opening Closing ForgettingJames T. HongTaiwan
242019Noodle KidHuo NingChina
UndergroundKim Jeong-keunSouth Korea
252020The Art of Living in DangerMina KeshavarzIran/Germany
Sister JLee SoojungSouth Korea
262021Self-Portrait: Fairy Tale in 47 kmZhang Meng-ChiChina
206: UnearthedHeo Cheol-nyeongSouth Korea
272022A Table for TwoKim BoramSouth Korea
The Football AficionadoSharmin Mojtahedzadeh, Paliz KhoshdelIran
282023The Voices of the SilencedPark Ma-ui, Park Soo-namSouth Korea/Japan
RepublicJin JiangSingapore/China

Sonje Award

Sonje Award(선재상) is given to the best Korean and Asian short films in the Wide Angle section, to assist them in producing next project by providing KRW 10,000,000 to each director.[13]

No.YearFilmDirectorCountry/Region
11996Arrival of the TrainAndrej SheleznjakovRussia
21997The Saltmen of TibetUlrike KochSwitzerland
31998LachrymalLim Chang-jaeSouth Korea
HeavyPark Chan-okSouth Korea
4199928 October 1979, A Sunny SundayKwon Jong-kwanSouth Korea
52000BardoYoon Young-hoSouth Korea
62001Siam Hard RomanceKim Jeong-guSouth Korea
72002Chapter Two: How to BreatheLee Hyung-sukSouth Korea
82003The Spring and the DelightPark Jung-seonSouth Korea
The Third TongueSon Kwang-juSouth Korea
92004Punk EekSon Kwang-juSouth Korea
Gold FishPark Shin-wooSouth Korea
102005Tea & PoisonJoung Yong-juSouth Korea
A Bowl of TeaKim Young-namSouth Korea
112006PortfolioYoon Seong-hoSouth Korea
The Wind StirsLee Jin-wooSouth Korea
122007Woong's StoryLee Ha-songSouth Korea
A Man Under the InfluenzaJung JulySouth Korea
132008AndongRommel TolentinoPhilippines
GirlHong Sung-hoonSouth Korea
142009Somewhere UnreachedKim Jae-wonSouth Korea
Rare FishBasil MironerSingapore/Indonesia
152010Broken NightYang Hyo-jooSouth Korea
InhalationEdmund YeoMalaysia/Japan
162011See You TomorrowLee Woo-jungSouth Korea
Thug BeramVenkat AmudhanIndia
172012The Night of The WitnessPark BuemSouth Korea
A Little FartherNikan NezamiIran
182013A Lady Caddy Who Never Saw a Hole in OneYosep Anggi NoenIndonesia
In the SummerSon Tae-gyumSouth Korea
192014StairwayMatt WuTaiwan
The NightChoi Ki-yunSouth Korea
202015Nia's DoorLau Kek HuatTaiwan
Shame DiaryLee Eun-jeongSouth Korea
212016Off-seasonYelzat EskendirKazakhstan
ViewerKim So-younSouth Korea
222017A Hand-written PosterKwak Eun-miSouth Korea
MadonnaSinung WinahyokoIndonesia
232018Cat Day AfternoonKwon Sung-moSouth Korea
NoorehAshish PandeyIndia
242019Dragon's TailSaeed KeshavarzIran
HelloJin Seong-moonSouth Korea
252020GeorgiaJayil PakSouth Korea
Mountain CatLkhagvadulam Purev-OchirMongolia/United Kingdom
262021A Winter GloveLee HyeonjuSouth Korea
The Sea Calls for MeTumpal TampubolonIndonesia
272022Southern AfternoonLan TianChina
I'm HereJeong EunukSouth Korea
282023MYDEARJeon Do-hee, Kim So-heeSouth Korea
21 weeks laterNasreen MohammadpurIran

Actor & Actress of the Year

The Actor of the Year(올해의 배우상) is the award to focus on the newcomer in the independent Korean films among the New Currents and Korean Cinema Today – Vision section. The renowned Korean actor and actress select one actor and one actress with outstanding performance. The winners will be awarded at the closing ceremony with a cash prize of KRW 5,000,000 each.[13]

No.YearActorFilmCountryActressFilmCountry
192014Choi Woo-shikSet Me FreeSouth KoreaCho Soo-hyangWild FlowersSouth Korea
202015Lee Ju-wonALONESouth KoreaSun JangCommunication & LiesSouth Korea
212016Koo Kyo-hwanJaneSouth KoreaLee Min-jiJaneSouth Korea
222017Park Jong-hwanHit the NightSouth KoreaJeon Yeo-beenAfter My DeathSouth Korea
232018Choi Hee-seo
Lee Joo-young
Our Body
Maggie
South Korea
242019Kim Jun-hyungThe EducationSouth KoreaMun Hye-inThe EducationSouth Korea
252020Ji SooOur Joyful Summer DaysSouth KoreaLim Seong-miFIGHTER South Korea
262021Kwon DahamThrough My MidwinterSouth KoreaLim Ji-hoThe Apartment with Two Women South Korea
272022Kim YoungsungBig SleepSouth KoreaKim GeumsoonStar of Ulsan South Korea
282023Jang Sung-bumWork to DoSouth KoreaOh Min-aeConcerning My DaughterSouth Korea

KB New Currents Audience Award

KB New Currents Audience Award(KB 뉴 커런츠 관객상; formerly KNN Award) is given to the film that is most highly rated by festival audiences from the New Currents section. Sponsored by KB Kookmin Bank, KRW 20,000,000 is awarded to the director.[13]

No.YearFilmDirectorCountry/Region
PSB Award
31998April StoryIwai ShunjiJapan
41999GeminiShinya TsukamotoJapan
52000Die BadRyoo Seung-wanSouth Korea
62001Flower IslandSong Il-gonSouth Korea
72002Too Young to DiePark Jin-pyoSouth Korea
82003The Road TakenHong Ki-sunSouth Korea
OsamaSiddiq BarmakAfghanistan
92004Survive Style 5+Gen SekiguchiJapan
102005The UnforgivenYoon Jong-binSouth Korea
Renamed as KNN Award
112006The White Silk DressLuu HuynhVietnam
122007Flower in the PocketLiew Seng TatMalaysia
132008100Chris MartinezPhilippines
142009LanJiang WenliChina
152010My Spectacular TheatreLu YangChina
162011Watch Indian CircusMangesh HadawaleIndia
172012Touch of the LightChang Jung-ChiTaiwan
18201310 MinutesLee Yong-seungSouth Korea
192014GhadiAmin DoraLebanon
202015Radio SetHari ViswanathIndia
212016In Between SeasonsLee Dong-eunSouth Korea
222017End of SummerZhou QuanChina
232018House of HummingbirdKim BoraSouth Korea
242019An Old LadyLim Sun-aeSouth Korea
Renamed as KB New Currents Audience Award
262021The Apartment with Two WomenKim Se-inSouth Korea
272022The Winter WithinAamir BashirIndia/France/Qatar
282023HeritageLee Jong-suSouth Korea

Flash Forward Audience Award

Flash Forward Audience Award(플래시 포워드 관객상) is given to the film that is most highly rated by festival audiences from the Flash Forward section. Sponsored by BIFF Supporters Association, KRW 10,000,000 is awarded to the director.[13]

No.YearFilmDirectorCountry
Flash Forward Award
142009Last Cowboy StandingZaida BergrothFinland/Germany
152010PureLisa LangsethSweden
162011LA-BAS - A Criminal EducationGuido LombardiItaly
172012Flower BudsZdeněk JiraskyCzech Republic
Renamed as Busan Bank Award
182013HomeMaximilian HultSweden/Iceland
192014The Boss, Anatomy of a CrimeSebastián SchindelArgentina
202015Highway to HellasAron LehmannGermany
212016Night of a 1000 HoursVirgil WidrichLuxembourg/Austria/Netherlands
222017PulseStevie Cruz-MartinAustralia
232018The Little ComradeMoonika SiimetsEstonia
242019FabulousMélanie CharbonneauCanada
Renamed as Flash Forward Award
252020TigersRonnie SandahlSweden/Italy/ Denmark
Renamed as Flash Forward Audience Award
262021MassFran KranzUSA
272022Riceboy SleepsAnthony ShimCanada
282023The DreamerAnais TellenneFrance

FIPRESCI Award

FIPRESCI(International Federation of Film Critics) Award(국제영화비평가연맹상) is given to well-made works that reflect its experimental and progressive spirit, among those presented in the New Currents section.[13]

No.YearFilmDirectorCountry/Region
21997Made in Hong KongFruit ChanHong Kong, China
31998IkinaiHiroshi ShimizuJapan
41999The CupKhyentse NorbuBhutan
52000SunflowerIsao YukisadaJapan
62001Flower IslandSong Il-gonSouth Korea
One Fine Spring DayHur Jin-hoSouth Korea
72002Too Young to DiePark Jin-pyoSouth Korea
82003Deep BreathParviz ShahbaziIran
92004Soap OperaWuershanChina
102005The UnforgivenYoon Jong-binSouth Korea
112006Love Conquers AllTan Chui MuiMalaysia
122007The Red AwnCai ShangjunChina
132008JalainurYe ZhaoChina
142009Kick OffShawkat Amin KorkiIraq/Japan
152010The Journals of MusanPark Jung-bumSouth Korea
162011MourningMorteza FarshbafIran
17201236Nawapol ThamrongrattanaritThailand
18201310 MinutesLee Yong-seungSouth Korea
192014What's the Time in Your World?Safi YazdanianIran
202015ImmortalHadi MohagheghIran
212016White AntChu Hsien-cheTaiwan
222017Last ChildShin Dong-seokSouth Korea
232018The Red PhallusTashi GyeltshenBhutan/Germany/Nepal
242019Running to the SkyMirlan AbdykalykovKyrgyzstan
252020Summer BlurHan ShuaiChina
262021SeirePark KangSouth Korea
272022Thousand and One NightsNao KubotaJapan
282023That Summer LieSon Hyeon-rokSouth Korea

NETPAC Award

The NETPAC Award(아시아영화진흥기구상) is given to the best film selected by the NETPAC(The Network for the Promotion of Asian Cinema) jury among the films screened in the New Currents section.[13]

No.YearFilmDirectorCountry
11996Three FriendsYim Soon-ryeSouth Korea
21997Timeless, Bottomless Bad MovieJang Sun-wooSouth Korea
31998The Power of Kangwon ProvinceHong Sang-sooSouth Korea
41999The Bird Who Stops in the AirJeon Soo-ilSouth Korea
52000ChunhyangIm Kwon-taekSouth Korea
62001Take Care of My CatJeong Jae-eunSouth Korea
72002Road MovieKim In-sikSouth Korea
82003Untold ScandalE J-yongSouth Korea
920043-IronKim Ki-dukSouth Korea
102005The UnforgivenYoon Jong-binSouth Korea
112006The Last Dining TableRoh Gyeong-taeSouth Korea
122007Hello StrangerKim Dong-hyunSouth Korea
With a Girl of Black SoilJeon Soo-ilSouth Korea
132008Members of the FuneralBaek Seung-binSouth Korea
Treeless MountainKim So-yongSouth Korea
142009PajuPark Chan-okSouth Korea
152010Dooman RiverZhang LuChina
162011The King of PigsYeon Sang-hoSouth Korea
172012JiseulO MuelSouth Korea
182013ShuttlecockLee Yu-binSouth Korea
192014SocialphobiaHong Seok-jaeSouth Korea
202015Communication & LiesLee Seung-wonSouth Korea
212016Merry Christmas Mr. MoLim Dae-hyungSouth Korea
222017FebruaryKim Joong-hyunSouth Korea
232018House of HummingbirdKim Bo-raSouth Korea
242019Moving OnYoon Dan-biSouth Korea
252020FIGHTERJéro YunSouth Korea
262021The Apartment with Two WomenKim Se-inSouth Korea
272022a Wild RoomerLee Jeong-hongSouth Korea
282023Solid by the SeaPatiparn BuntharikThailand

LG OLED New Currents Award

The LG OLED New Currents Award(LG 올레드 뉴 커런츠상) is established in 2023, is given to an Asian feature film in the New Currents section, that demonstrates an innovation in visual aesthetics. The award recipient will be chosen by the New Currents jurors, and will be granted prizes sponsored by LG OLED including ₩30,000,000 cash award.[13]

No.YearFilmDirectorCountry
282023Solid by the SeaPatiparn BuntharikThailand

LG OLED Vision Award

The LG OLED Vision Award(LG 올레드 비전상; formerly Daemyung Culture Wave Award, KTH Award, Watcha Award) is given to one Korean film in the Korean Cinema Today - Vision and New Currents section, that demonstrates an innovation in visual aesthetics. The award recipient will be granted prizes sponsored by LG OLED including ₩30,000,000 cash award.[13][27][28]

No.YearFilmDirectorCountry
Daemyung Culture Wave Award
192014The LiarKim Dong-myungSouth Korea
202015OvermanSeo Eun-youngSouth Korea
212016YongsoonShin JoonSouth Korea
Renamed as KTH Award
232018Clean upKwon Man-kiSouth Korea
A Boy and SungreenAhn Ju-youngSouth Korea
242019Lucky MonsterBong Joon-youngSouth Korea
Moving OnYoon Dan-biSouth Korea
252020SnowballLee Woo-jungSouth Korea
Young Adult MattersLee HwanSouth Korea
Renamed as Watcha Award
262021Through My MidwinterOh Seong-hoSouth Korea
The Apartment with Two WomenKim Se-inSouth Korea
272022PeafowlByun Sung-binSouth Korea
GreenhouseLee Sol-huiSouth Korea
Renamed as LG OLED Vision Award
282023The BereftsJung Beom, Heo JangSouth Korea

DGK PLUS M Award

The DGK PLUS M Award(한국영화감독조합 플러스엠상; formerly DGK Award) goes to two Korean films from the Korean Cinema Today - Vision section. Each winner will be granted KRW 5,000,000. This cash prize is sponsored by Directors Guild of Korea and PLUS M.[13]

No.YearRecipientCategoryFilmCountry
DGK Award
162011Yeon Sang-hoDirectorThe King of PigsSouth Korea
Ha Hyun-kwanActorBeautiful Miss JinSouth Korea
Han Song-hee, Hwang Jung-minActressJesus HospitalSouth Korea
172012O MuelDirectorJiseulSouth Korea
Shin Yeon-shickThe Russian NovelSouth Korea
Shim Hee-sub, Ahn Jae-hong, Kim Chang-hwanActorSunshine BoysSouth Korea
Jang Young-namActressAzoomaSouth Korea
No.YearFilmDirectorCountry
DGK Award
192014A Midsummer's FantasiaJang Kun-jaeSouth Korea
SocialphobiaHong Seok-jaeSouth Korea
202015The Boys Who Cried Wolf ofKim Jin-hwangSouth Korea
EyelidsO MuelSouth Korea
No.YearDirectorFilmCountry
Vision-Director's Award
212016Jang Woo-jin[29]Autumn, AutumnSouth Korea
Ahn Seon-kyoungHyeon's QuartetSouth Korea
222017Kim Joong-hyunFebruarySouth Korea
Jeong Ga-youngHit the NightSouth Korea
No.YearFilmDirectorCountry
DGK Award
232018BoriKim Jin-yuSouth Korea
Sub-zero WindKim Yu-riSouth Korea
242019Moving OnYoon Dan-biSouth Korea
Lucky Chan-silKim Cho-heeSouth Korea
Renamed as DGK Megabox Award
252020Young Adult MattersLee HwanSouth Korea
Good PersonJung WookSouth Korea
262021Through My MidwinterOh Seong-hoSouth Korea
A Lonely Island in the Distant SeaKim MiyoungSouth Korea
272022Big SleepKim TaehoonSouth Korea
Star of UlsanJung KihyukSouth Korea
282023Work to DoPark Hong-joonSouth Korea
Isle of SnakesKim Yoo-minSouth Korea

CGV Award

CGV Award(CGV상) was newly created in 2011 in collaboration with CJ CGV to shed new light on the Korean Cinema Today - Vision section. The winner will receive a cash prize of KRW 10,000,000 sponsored by CJ CGV.[13]

No.YearFilmDirectorCountry
Movie Collage Award
162011The King of PigsYeon Sang-hoSouth Korea
Renamed as CGV Movie Collage Award
172012JiseulO MuelSouth Korea
182013Han Gong-juLee Su-jinSouth Korea
192014A Matter of InterpretationLee Kwang-kukSouth Korea
Renamed as CGV Arthouse Award
202015EyelidsO MuelSouth Korea
212016JaneCho Hyun-hoonSouth Korea
222017MicrohabitatJeon Go-woonSouth Korea
232018MaggieYi Ok-seopSouth Korea
242019Lucky Chan-silKim Cho-heeSouth Korea
252020Good PersonJung WookSouth Korea
262021ChorokbamYoon Seo-jinSouth Korea
Renamed as CGV Award
272022GreenhouseLee Sol-huiSouth Korea
282023Concerning My DaughterLee Mi-rangSouth Korea

KBS Independent Film Award

The KBS Independent Film Award(KBS독립영화상) is given to support Korean independent films. One Korean film will be selected among Korean Cinema Today - Vision and New Currents section to receive KRW 10,000,000. This cash prize is sponsored by Korean Broadcasting System.[28][13]

No.YearFilmDirectorCountry
232018MaggieYi Ok-seopSouth Korea
242019Lucky Chan-silKim Cho-heeSouth Korea
252020LIMECRIMELee Seunghwan, Yoo JaewookSouth Korea
262021Hot in Day, Cold at NightPark Song-yeolSouth Korea
272022a Wild RoomerLee Jeong-hongSouth Korea
282023House of the SeasonsOh Jung-minSouth Korea

CGK Award

The CGK Award(CGK촬영상), sponsored by Cinematographers Guild of Korea, is given to one Korean film from either New Currents or Korean Cinema Today - Vision section. The winner’s cinematographer will be granted KRW 5,000,000.[13]

No.YearFilmCinematographerCountry
CGK&SamyangXEEN Award
242019Kyungmi’s WorldKim GiljaSouth Korea
252020SnowballLee Jae-uSouth Korea
Renamed as CGK Award
262021ChorokbamChoo Kyeong-yeobSouth Korea
272022Hail to HellJung GrimSouth Korea
282023House of the SeasonsLee JinkeunSouth Korea

Critic b Award

Critic b Award(크리틱b상) is given to one film chosen by Busan Film Critics Association among the selections in the New Currents and the Korean Cinema Today - Vision section. The winner will receive KRW 10,000,000.[13]

No.YearFilmDirectorCountry
262021Hot in Day, Cold at NightPark Song-yeolSouth Korea
272022a Wild RoomerLee Jeong-hongSouth Korea
282023Last SummerChoi Seung-wooSouth Korea

Watcha Short Award

Watcha Short Award(왓챠단편상) is established to support short film directors in Korean cinema. Two short films chosen from Wide Angle - Korean Short Competition section will be given a cash prize of KRW 5,000,000. This cash prize is sponsored by Watcha.[13]

No.YearFilmDirectorCountry
272022Other LifeRoh DohyeonSouth Korea
282023MYDEARJeon Do-hee, Kim So-heeSouth Korea
KARMAChoi Soo-hyukSouth Korea

Aurora Media Award

Aurora Media Award(오로라미디어상) is established to support new directors in Korean cinema. Two Korean films chosen from the New Currents and the Korean Cinema Today - Vision section will be given a cash prize of KRW 10,000,000 respectively. This cash prize is sponsored by Aurora Media.[13]

No.YearFilmDirectorCountry
272022GreenhouseLee Sol-huiSouth Korea
Big SleepKim TaehoonSouth Korea
282023House of the SeasonsOh Jung-minSouth Korea
FAQKim Da-minSouth Korea

Citizen Critics' Award

Citizen critics from the Busan Cinematheque choose the best film from those screened in Korean Cinema Today - Vision section. Citizen Critics' Award(시민평론가상) is awarded KRW 10,000,000 for supporting the director’s next production.[13]

No.YearFilmDirectorCountry
162011Romance JoeLee Kwang-kukSouth Korea
172012JiseulO MuelSouth Korea
182013Han Gong-juLee Su-jinSouth Korea
ShuttlecockLee Yu-binSouth Korea
192014Set Me FreeKim Tae-yongSouth Korea
202015ALONEPark Hong-minSouth Korea
212016JamsilLee Wan-minSouth Korea
222017Possible FacesLee Kang-hyunSouth Korea
232018MaggieYi Ok-seopSouth Korea
242019Moving OnYoon Dan-biSouth Korea
262021ChorokbamYoon Seo-jinSouth Korea
272022BirthYoo Ji-youngSouth Korea
282023The BereftsJung Beom, Heo JangSouth Korea

Busan Cinephile Award

Busan Cinephile Award(부산시네필상) is given to the best Korean and Asian documentary film presented in the Wide Angle documentary showcase section. The winner is awarded KRW 5,000,000. The jury of college students, including numerous students from the cinema-related departments of six universities in Busan region, select the winner.[13]

No.YearFilmDirectorCountry
162011The TwinGustav DanielssonSweden
1720125 Broken CamerasEmad Burnat, Guy DavidiPalestine/Israel/
France/Netherlands
182013Father’s Garden – The Love of My ParentsPeter LiechtiSwitzerland
192014The Look of SilenceJoshua OppenheimerDenmark
202015The Other SideRoberto MinerviniItaly/France
212016The ApologyTiffany HsiungCanada
222017A Free ManAndreas HartmannGermany/Japan
232018Bruce Lee and the OutlawJoost VandebrugUnited Kingdom/Netherlands/
Czech Republic
242019Que Sea Ley (Let It Be Law)Juan Diego SolanasFrance/Argentina/Uruguay
262021I′m So SorryZhao LiangHong Kong/France/Netherlands
272022While We WatchedVinay ShuklaUnited Kingdom
282023Yellow Door: ′90s Lo-fi Film ClubLee Hyuk-raeSouth Korea

See also

References