Festival Kicks Off: Busan International Film Festival Honors Talent and Champions Gender Equity

The 29th Busan International Film Festival opened with a red carpet event featuring stars like Lee Jung-jae and honored Japanese filmmaker Kiyoshi Kurosawa. The addition of the new Camellia Award celebrated female contributions to cinema, presented to Ryu Seong-hie. The festival pays tribute to late actor Lee Sun-kyun and showcases 279 films, beginning with Netflix’s “Uprising”.

The 29th Busan International Film Festival kicked off with a glamorous opening night filled with notable stars such as Lee Jung-jae from “Squid Game,” Song Joong-ki from “Descendants of the Sun,” and Gang Dong-won from “Peninsula” strutting down the iconic red carpet of the Busan Cinema Center, drawing an enthusiastic crowd of over 4,500 attendees. Showcasing a fresh leadership team led by the esteemed filmmaker Park Kwang-su and Ellen Y.D. Kim, the festival celebrated Japanese director Kiyoshi Kurosawa with the Asian Filmmaker of the Year award, recognizing his significant contributions to cinema including his acclaimed work “Wife of a Spy,” which won a Silver Lion for Best Director at Venice in 2020. Kurosawa shared heartfelt gratitude during his acceptance speech, reflecting on how BIFF has been a crucial platform for his cinematic journey, noting, ‘This festival witnessed almost half my career.’ In an inspiring move towards gender equity, the newly introduced Camellia Award, in collaboration with Chanel, was bestowed upon renowned production designer Ryu Seong-hie. Ryu, celebrated for her work on pivotal films like Bong Joon-ho’s “Memories of Murder” and Park Chan-wook’s “Oldboy,” delivered a powerful speech about overcoming gender biases in the industry. “Being rejected countless times by production companies, I decided to survive and change their bias,” she proclaimed, emphasizing the overlooked talents of women in film. The evening took a somber turn as the festival paid tribute to the late Lee Sun-kyun, known for his roles in films like “Parasite.” An in memoriam segment featured highlights from his illustrious filmography, alongside the posthumous presentation of the Korean Cinema Award. As the festival unfolds, audiences can look forward to 279 films from 63 different countries, with Netflix’s “Uprising” leading the way as the opening film. The festival, which promises to showcase diverse narratives and perspectives, will conclude on October 11 with Singaporean filmmaker Eric Khoo’s “Spirit World.”

The Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) is one of the most prestigious film festivals in Asia, held annually in Busan, South Korea. Known for its focus on Asian cinema and emerging filmmakers, BIFF aims to promote diverse voices within the industry. The festival has a history of awarding filmmakers who have made significant contributions to the art, highlighting both established icons and rising stars. This year, the festival has introduced new awards aimed at celebrating gender equality in the industry and recognizing outstanding contributions by female filmmakers, alongside its traditional recognition of cinematic achievements.

The Busan International Film Festival opened with a celebration of cinematic artistry, honoring established directors while also paving the way for future generations, especially women in the industry. The event not only facilitated the glorification of Kurosawa’s masterful works but also shone a spotlight on gender biases in filmmaking, with Ryu Seong-hie’s inspiring acceptance speech. As BIFF sets the stage for an array of films from around the globe, it embodies a vibrant fusion of remembrance and hope for a more inclusive cinematic future.

Original Source: deadline.com