Sept. 9, 2024
The festival in South Korea will honour Japanese auteur Kiyoshi Kurosawa with the Asian Filmmaker of the Year award.
Korea - The 29th Busan International
Film Festival (BIFF) is set to open on October 2, 2024, with the world premiere
of the Netflix original Korean period drama, Uprising. Directed by Kim
Sang-man and produced by the acclaimed filmmaker Park Chan-wook, who also
co-wrote the film, Uprising marks a significant milestone as the first
streaming platform movie to open Asia’s largest film festival.
Uprising tells the gripping story of two
childhood friends turned adversaries amidst a raging war, featuring stellar
performances by Gang Dong-won and Park Jeong-min. This selection underscores
BIFF’s commitment to showcasing diverse and compelling narratives, even as the
festival faces substantial financial challenges. Despite a 50% cut in
government funding, BIFF has expanded its screening program by 8%, maintaining
its stature as a premier film festival in Asia.
In addition to Uprising, the festival will
honor Japanese auteur Kiyoshi Kurosawa with the Asian Filmmaker of the Year
award. The festival will also feature a variety of other Netflix titles from
across Asia, highlighting the platform’s growing influence in the region.
BIFF’s resilience and dedication to promoting
cinematic excellence are evident in its efforts to self-finance and secure
additional venues, ensuring a robust and diverse lineup for attendees.