Scripted

Formatbiz was on the red carpet at the closing ceremony of the 31st Busan International Film Festival (BIFF), held on Thursday, October 15, at the Busan Cinema Center. Our journalist, Marilena Tesoro attended the final evening of one of Asia’s most prestigious film events, joining filmmakers, actors and international industry professionals to celebrate the winners of an edition marked by record attendance and the growing global recognition of Asian cinema.

The closing ceremony, hosted by Korean actor Yim Si-wan, marked the conclusion of the ten-day festival, which welcomed major international stars and filmmakers, including Michelle Yeoh, Alfonso Cuarón, Isabelle Huppert, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Maggie Gyllenhaal and Fan Bingbing.

The evening's most prestigious honour, the Busan Award for Best Film, went to Iranian director Majid Majidi for Midday Meal, unanimously selected by the international jury chaired by acclaimed Chinese filmmaker Zhang Yimou.

Set in a remote Iranian village, Midday Meal follows Solan, the community's only teacher, whose hopes for a better future are threatened when the school meal programme faces closure. Through an intimate story of education, dignity and social responsibility, Majidi explores the challenges faced by vulnerable communities. The filmmaker dedicated his award to the people of Iran, expressing his hope for a world without war.

The Special Jury Prize was awarded to Indonesian director Eddie Cahyono for IBUKU, an Indonesia-Japan co-production starring Christine Hakim. The film tells the emotional story of a widowed mother struggling to reach her daughter, who has been sentenced to death abroad, addressing the human consequences of migration and family separation.

Taiwanese filmmaker Lee Yun Chan received the Best Director Award for To Be Ordinary, a family drama exploring the emotional consequences of a tragic road accident that changes the lives of its protagonists.

The Best Actor Award was shared by Chinese star Zhou Xun for The First Taste of Loneliness, directed by Gu You, and Japanese newcomer Himeno Kashun for Satoko Always, directed by Okita Shuichi.

The First Taste of Loneliness, which follows three generations of women confronting grief and rebuilding their family relationships, also received the Artistic Contribution Award for sound director Li Danfeng.

Among the emerging talents, Indian director Shashank Walia won the New Currents Award for Birds in the Dark, while South Korean filmmaker Lim Hayeon received a Special Mention for Beach Fictions.

Another standout title was Mongolian-German production Zogsool, directed by Sakhya Byamba, which collected several honours, including the NETPAC Award, FIPRESCI Award, Vision of Jiseok Award and Hylife Vision Award.