Latest news with #AsianFilmmakeroftheYear
Broadcast Pro
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Broadcast Pro
Busan International Film Festival to honour Iranian director Jafar Panahi
Panahi will receive the award during the opening ceremony of BIFF's 30th edition, which runs September 17–26, 2025. The 30th Busan International Film Festival has honoured Iranian director Jafar Panahi with 'Asian Filmmaker of the Year', an award given to a filmmaker or organisation that has made a profound impact on the advancement of Asian cinema and culture. A central figure in Iran's New Wave cinema, Panahi is widely respected for his fearless portrayal of life under political and social repression. Despite facing repeated arrests, travel bans and an official prohibition on filmmaking, he has continued to produce films covertly, courageously submitting them to international festivals. His works explore themes of freedom and resistance, offering a countercultural lens on Iranian society and earning global recognition for their emotional depth and artistic bravery. Panahi's career achievements are marked by top honours from the world's most prestigious film festivals. In 2025, he won the Palme d'Or at Cannes for It Was Just an Accident, adding to his earlier wins of the Golden Lion at Venice for The Circle (2002), the Golden Bear at Berlin for Taxi (2015) and the Prix du Scénario at Cannes for 3 FACES (2018). His debut feature White Balloon (1995) had already won the Prix de la Caméra d'Or at Cannes, and The Mirror (1997) earned him the Golden Leopard at Locarno. Accepting the award, Panahi said: 'At a time when making films in my country becomes more difficult every day, this recognition reminds me that cinema can still connect us beyond borders, languages, and limitations. I not only accept this award in my own name, but also on behalf of all those who, in silence, in exile, or under pressure, continue to create.' The award will be formally presented during the festival's Opening Ceremony on September 17 at the Busan Cinema Centre. The festival itself will run from September 17 to 26 across multiple venues in Busan, South Korea. Born in 1960, Panahi has become an enduring symbol of artistic resistance. His body of work not only reflects the complexities of life in contemporary Iran but also underscores cinema's power to transcend barriers and give voice to the silenced.
Mint
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Mint
Jafar Panahi named Asian Filmmaker of the Year at Busan International Film Festival
Washington DC [US], July 22 (ANI): Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi has been tapped for the Asian Filmmaker of the Year award at the 30th Busan International Film Festival, according to Variety. This was followed by his recognition at the 78th Cannes Film Festival. Panahi accepted the Palme d'Or for "It Was Just an Accident," a film directly inspired by his time in prison at the prestigious event. Panahi's film is filled with equal parts absurdist humour and rage, following five characters who believe they have identified the prosecutor who tortured them during their own detention, but because they were all blindfolded in jail, no one is confident their captor is the same man, reported Variety. What makes his achievement remarkable is that he achieved it despite severe restrictions. The 65-year-old filmmaker has been banned from making movies by Iranian authorities and has faced multiple arrests, detentions and travel prohibitions. Yet he continues to craft films in secret and submit them to international festivals, reported Variety. "This recognition reminds me that cinema can still connect us beyond borders, languages, and limitations," Panahi said upon receiving the honour, adding, "I accept this award not only in my own name, but also on behalf of all those who, in silence, in exile, or under pressure, continue to create." His films consistently probe themes of individual freedom and resistance, often focusing on marginalised voices within Iranian society. Panahi, who is considered one of Iranian cinema's greatest auteurs, previously won prizes "The Circle," "Offside," "This is Not a Film," "Taxi" and "No Bears," winner of the Venice Film Festival's 2022 Special Jury Prize. "Taxi" won the Berlin Golden Bear in 2015, while his "Offside" won the Silver Bear in 2006, as per Variety. Arrested by Iranian authorities in July 2022 after signing an appeal against police violence, Panahi spent several months behind bars. He was released from prison in February 2023. The filmmaker's other major accolades include Locarno's Golden Leopard for "The Mirror" in 1997 and Cannes' screenplay prize for "3 Faces" in 2018, reported Variety. Busan's Asian Filmmaker of the Year honour goes to individuals or organisations that have significantly advanced Asian cinema and culture. Panahi will receive the award at the festival's opening ceremony on September 17. The 30th edition of Busan runs from September 17 to 26, with the Asian Contents and Film Market taking place from September 20 to 23, according to Variety. (ANI)
