Latest news with #BIFF
Time of India
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
SRFTI alumnus only Indian among 24 emerging Asian filmmakers at Busan
A file photo of Arnab Laha KOLKATA: Arnab Laha has been officially selected as one of the 24 emerging filmmakers from across Asia, out of 40 countries, and will attend the prestigious Busan International Film Festival (BIFF). The alumnus of Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute (SRFTI) is the only talent from India to be selected for the festival's prestigious educational programme called CHANEL X BIFF Asian Film Academy. Laha was selected among eight cinematographers from all over Asia and will be shooting one short film that will be screened at BIFF. The intensive 20-day programme will run from Sept 7 to Sept 26. For cine enthusiasts in Kolkata, BIFF is recognised as Asia's largest and most influential film festival and is regarded as one of the six top festivals in the world, alongside Cannes, Venice, Berlin, Rotterdam, and Toronto. You Can Also Check: Kolkata AQI | Weather in Kolkata | Bank Holidays in Kolkata | Public Holidays in Kolkata This highly competitive fellowship programme is a platform for talented filmmakers to receive mentorship from global industry leaders, collaborate across cultures, and premiere their work on the international stage. The other fellows are from Iran, China, Nepal, Korea, Thailand, Hong Kong, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Krygyzstan, Lebanon and Pakistan. According to Laha, this selection is a big step forward since it will allow him to deeply understand how filmmakers in South Korea operate—especially in the post-Bong Joon-ho era, when global storytelling standards have risen. 'I'll get to interact with experts, connect with renowned South Asian filmmakers, and gain insights into the Asian film market. This exposure will directly influence my next feature, as I aim to raise the bar for Bengali cinema to meet international standards. As part of BAFA, I'm attending the 'Bridge to Hollywood' workshop with the Motion Picture Association. It offers mentorship from a Hollywood producer and a pitching competition, with a chance to attend film events in the US and Australia,' Laha said. The fellowship will give Laha a 'chance to co-create'. He will be collaborating with an Iranian director to make a five-to-seven-minute short film for an international audience. 'It will premiere at BIFF, giving me a strong platform for global circulation and cultural exchange through cinema,' Laha added. Laha's journey began at St. Xavier's College with a foundation in multimedia and animation before he joined SRFTI's cinematography department. A landmark in his career was serving as the cinematographer for 'The Horse from Heaven', India's official entry to the 95th Academy Awards, Oscars in the Best Live Action Short Film category. His filmography includes 'The Strange Life of Dhrubo' (2025), 'Academy of Fine Arts' (2025), 'Colored Sweets' (2024), 'Horse From Heaven' (2022), and 'Termites' (2021). His cinematography in 'The Strange Life of Dhrubo', which won the Best Film award in the Bengali Panorama segment of KIFF, was lauded by many. Laha thanked his exposure and training at St. Xavier's and SRFTI for shaping him as a multi-disciplinary artist. 'Both institutions shaped me deeply. St Xavier's nurtured my roots in painting and graphic design, and being a topper there gave me the confidence and mentorship to pursue any creative direction. SRFTI provided rigorous training, a treasure of cinema books, and access to great minds like Anil Mehta, Anurag Kashyap, Aditya Vikram Sengupta, and Sudeep Chatterjee. Together, they helped me grow as a holistic artist, not just a technician,' he said.
Gulf Today
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Gulf Today
Bollywood star Alia Bhatt shares glimpses of her lovely London vacation
Bollywood star Alia Bhatt shared a sneak-peek into her London holiday, where she enjoyed the clouds, some puzzles and a burger. Alia took to her Instagram stories, where she shared a photo collage. The collage featured pictures of the cloud, puzzles she solves with daughter Raha and a holiday treat — burgers, the actress gorged on. For the caption, the actress simply wrote: 'Good Vibes Only' along with a cloud, puzzle and burger emoji. On the professional front, the actress will next be seen in 'Alpha' along with Sharvari. The two will be seen playing super agents. The film is directed by Shiv Rawail and will release in the big Christmas Holiday weekend of 2025. 'Alpha' will mark the seventh film in Yash Raj Films' expansive spy universe. This universe began with the 'Tiger' franchise, starring Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif, starting with 'Ek Tha Tiger' and followed by 'Tiger Zinda Hai.' The saga continued with 'War,' 'Pathaan,' and 'Tiger 3.' Upcoming films in the franchise include 'War 2,' directed by Ayan Mukerji, 'Pathaan 2,' and 'Tiger vs. Pathaan.' In other news, Alia's 'Difficult Daughters' among others was announced by Busan International Film Festival (BIFF). The line-up includes 'Difficult Daughters,' directed by Soni Razdan, which is being produced by Alia Bhatt and her sister Shaheen Bhatt, along with veteran Indian indie producer Alan McAlex (Santosh). As per Kani Kusruti, who starred in Cannes Palme d'Or winning film 'All We Imagine As Light,' is teaming with the director of that film, Payal Kapadia, to produce 'The Last Of Them Plagues,' directed by Kunjila Mascillamani. Kusruti attended BIFF last year as a jury member for the New Currents competition. The line-up also includes several other filmmakers with ties to BIFF, including Indian director Pradip Kurbah, recipient of the 2019 Jiseok Award, with new project Moon; Bangladeshi filmmaker Biplob Sarkar, previously invited to BIFF New Currents and returning with 'The Magical Men.' It also includes Malaysia's Lau Kok Rui from the BIFF 2022 Asian Film Academy, who is presenting Wake Me up When the Mourning Ends, with Soi Cheang, Stefano Centini and Wong Kew Soon on board as producers, reports The line-up also features five Chinese-language projects, with three from Taiwan focusing on female protagonists. Japan is represented by three projects from established directors Shiraishi Kazuya, Fujita Naoya and Zhang Yaoyuan, with stories revolving around the realities of foreign laborers, a reclusive woman's struggle for identity, and a multifaceted view of what Japanese youth face today. Meanwhile, Alia lavished praise on debutant Ahaan Panday, actress Aneet Padda and Mohit Suri after their recently released film 'Saiyaara' opened to a great response. Alia took to her Instagram, and shared a picture of Ahaan, Aneet and Mohit Suri. Mohit and Alia are first cousins. Mohit's mother, Heena, is the sister of Mahesh Bhatt, who is Alia's father. Mohit is a generation older than Alia. While Mohit's directorial debut 'Zeher' was released in 2005, Alia made her Bollywood debut in 2012 with 'Student of the Year'. Indo-Asian News Service
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Busan Film Festival to Honor Jafar Panahi as Asian Filmmaker of the Year
The Busan International Film Festival has selected Iranian auteur Jafar Panahi as its 2025 Asian Filmmaker of the Year, honoring the director's uncompromising contributions to Asian and world cinema. Panahi will receive the award during the opening ceremony of BIFF's 30th edition, which runs Sept. 17–26 in the South Korean port city. The accolade, one of the festival's highest honors, is presented annually to an individual or organization that has made a significant impact on the development of Asian cinema. Past recipients include an elite roster of artists and autuers, such as Kiyoshi Kurosawa, Hirokazu Kore-eda, Chow Yun-fat, Tony Leung, Ann Hui, Mohsen Makhmalbaf, Hou Hsiao-hsien, and the late composer Ryuichi Sakamoto, among others. More from The Hollywood Reporter 'Dune' VFX House DNEG's Immersive Experiences Unit Names NBCU's Jeff Lehman Exec Producer (Exclusive) A Weakening U.S. Dollar Worries Film and TV Producers in Canada Ava Phillippe, Sam Morelos Cast in Tommy Dorfman's 'Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up With Me' (Exclusive) A central figure in Iran's New Wave cinema, Panahi came to prominence with his debut The White Balloon (1995), winner of Cannes' Camera d'Or. He has since built a career defined by formal rigor and fearless political critique, continuing to create films despite a state-imposed ban and multiple arrests. Earlier this year, Panahi completed the rare European festival trifecta, taking home the Palme d'Or at Cannes for It Was Just an Accident (2025). The Hollywood Reporter's critic on the ground at the festival hailed the film as 'a shrewdly crafted vengeance film' that 'slowly but surely builds into a stark condemnation of abusive power and its long-lasting effects.'Panahi previously won the Golden Bear at the Berlin Film Festival for Taxi (2015) and the Golden Lion at Venice for The Circle (2000), making him the first Asian director to claim the top prize at all three major European festivals. Accepting the Palme d'Or at the Cannes ceremony, 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.' Neon acquired North American theatrical rights to It Was Just an Accident at Cannes and plans to release the film on Oct. 15. The 30th Busan International Film Festival will be headquartered once again at the Busan Cinema Center, with screenings and special events taking place throughout the city. BIFF's Asian Project Market (APM), a vital incubator for emerging filmmakers across the region, runs concurrently with the festival. The event will unveil its competition selection in late August. Best of The Hollywood Reporter The 40 Greatest Needle Drops in Film History The 40 Best Films About the Immigrant Experience Wes Anderson's Movies Ranked From Worst to Best Solve the daily Crossword
Hindustan Times
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Jafar Panahi named Asian Filmmaker of the Year at Busan International Film Festival
Renowned Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi, known for world cinema classics like "The White Balloon", "Offside", "The Circle" and "3 Faces", has been named the 'Asian Filmmaker of the Year' by the Busan International Film Festival. The award is presented to an Asian film figure or organization that has made the most significant contribution to the development of the Asian film industry and culture. (Also read: Cannes Film Festival: Jafar Panahi wins Palme d'Or for It Was Just an Accident, Sentimental Value gets Grand Prix) Iranian director, screenwriter and producer Jafar Panahi recently won the Palme d'Or at Cannes. (Photo by Steven Markham / AFP)(AFP) Panahi is a revered figure in the international cinema community but in Iran he has consistently faced restrictions for his art. He was imprisoned three years ago and went on a hunger strike. Despite obstacles, Panahi has continued to make films be it 'This Is Not a Film', which he made in his living room while under house arrest or 'Taxi', which was set in a car. Official statement "As a towering figure in Iranian cinema, the director has explored the existence and freedom of individuals living amid censorship and political repression. Capturing the political and social contradictions of Iranian society from a countercultural perspective, he has continued to create films in secret, courageously submitting them to international film festivals despite repeated arrests, custody, detention, travel bans, and a stated-imposed filmmaking ban," BIFF said in their release. "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," Panahi said in his statement to the festival. The filmmaker's "It was Just an Accident" won the top prize at the Cannes Film Festival in May this year. Panahi won Venice festival's Golden Lion for 'The Circle' in 2002 and the Golden Bear at the Berlin film festival for 'Taxi' in 2015. The filmmaker's accomplishments also include Locarno's Golden Leopard for 'The Mirror' in 1997 and Cannes' screenplay prize for '3 Faces' in 2018. Panahi will be receiving the award at the festival's opening ceremony, scheduled on September 17. The festival will run till September 26. (via PTI inputs)
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.
