The 30th Busan International Film Festival announces its 2025 award winners

Official awards of the 30th Busan International Film Festival were announced in Korea. According to the report of independent journalist Mansour Jahani, who attend the festival, the Best Film Award, including a cash prize of $35,000, went to “Gloaming in Luomu” by ZHANG Lu (China). The Best Director Award, including a cash prize of $14,000, to: Shu Qi for directing the feature film “Girl” (Taiwan).

The Special Jury Award for its Outstanding Cinematic Achievement, including a cash prize of $7,000, to “Funky Freaky Freaks” by Han Chang-lok (Korea). The Best Actor Award, including a cash prize of $7,000, to LEE Jiwon for acting in the “En Route To” (Korea) and KITAMURA Takumi, AYANO Go and HAYASHI Yuta for their acting in the “BAKA′s Identity” (Japan).

The Artistic Contribution Award recognizes outstanding achievement in a technical or creative field other than directing or acting in Competition films, including; a cash prize of $7,000 jointly to: LIU Qiang and TU Nan for Production Designer of the “Resurrection” (China, France).

The New Currents Award is presented to the most promising directorial debut from Competition section or Vision sections, which includes a cash prize of $14,000 to: “En Route To” by YOO Jaein (Korea).

MECENAT AWARD

• The Best Korean Documentary Award, including a cash prize of $7,000, to: “Raining Dust” by KIM Taeil and JU Romi (Korea).
• The Best Asian Documentary, including a cash prize of $7,000, to: the feature-length documentary “Singing Wings” by Hemen Khaledi (Iran, Georgia, Belgium).
• Special Mention, to: “Relay Race” by KO Hyoju, (Korea).
• The Best Korean Short Film, including a cash prize of $7,000, to: “It Sounds Louder on Rainy Days” by Kim Sang-yun (Korea).
• The Best Asian Short Film Award, including a cash prize of $7,000, to: “Delay” by WANG Han-xuan (China).
• Special Mention, to: “INTERFACE” by KAWAZOE Aya (Japan)

FIPRESCI Award: “On Your Lap” by Reza Rahadian (Indonesia, Saudi Arabia).

NETPAC Award: “Malika” by Natalia Uvarova (Kazakhstan, Moldova, Ireland).

Vision Asia Award: “Black Rabbit, White Rabbit” by Iranian filmmaker Shahram Mokri (Tajikistan, United Arab Emirates).

KB Vision Audience Award: “On Your Lap” by Reza Rahadian (Indonesia, Saudi Arabia).

The Asian Filmmaker of the Year: This year’s recipient is Jafar Panahi, whose powerful body of work, including The White Balloon (1995), The Mirror (1997), The Circle (2000), Taxi (2015), and It Was Just an Accident (2025), has resonated with audiences worldwide.

Korean Cinema Award:  This year’s honoree is Chung Jiyoung, whose works have earned both critical and audience acclaim for their incisive portrayal of the underlying realities and pressing issues of contemporary Korean society.