Busan International Film Festival

The Busan International Film Festival (BIFF; Korean: 부산국제영화제), 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 from 13 to 21 September 1996, was also the first international film festival in Korea.
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.
The Busan International Film Festival is organised in various sections
Chairpersons:
Festival Directors:
Managing Directors:
A number of awards are handed out each year, including:
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.
The Korean Cinema Award (한국영화공로상) is presented to cineastes that have made a notable contribution in the globalization of Korean cinema.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
In 2024, the "Camellia Award" was introduced, named after Busan's city flower, the camellia. This award, established with the involvement of Chanel, aims to elevate the status of women in the film industry. The first recipient of this honor was Ryu Seong-hie, a South Korean film art director.
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