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Yahoo
14 hours 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
a day ago
- 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
2 days ago
- 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.
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First Post
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- First Post
When Pooja Bhatt indirectly called her half-sister Alia Bhatt 'fake': 'Unlike me, you have been able to...'
Meanwhile, Alia Bhatt's upcoming production, Difficult Daughters, has been selected as one of the 30 projects for the Asian Project Market (APM) at this year's Busan International Film Festival (BIFF), reported Deadline read more Pooja Bhatt and Alia Bhatt came together at an event once and the Zakhm actress spoke about how too much truth doesn't go well in Bollywood, and netizens are thinking if she indirectly called Alia fake. Here's the video: STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Actor Alia Bhatt's upcoming production, Difficult Daughters, has been selected as one of the 30 projects for the Asian Project Market (APM) at this year's Busan International Film Festival (BIFF), reported Deadline. The film is directed by Soni Razdan and produced by Alia, her sister Shaheen Bhatt, and indie film producer Alan McAlex, known for his work on Santosh. Difficult Daughters is among a select group of projects from across Asia that will be showcased at APM, where filmmakers connect with international investors and co-producers. According to Deadline, another Indian project in the line-up is The Last of Them Plagues, directed by Kunjila Mascillamani and produced by actor Kani Kusruti and All We Imagine As Light director Payal Kapadia. Kani served as a jury member for BIFF's New Currents section last year. Other entries include Moon by Indian director Pradip Kurbah, who previously won BIFF's Jiseok Award in 2019. Bangladeshi filmmaker Biplob Sarkar returns to BIFF with The Magical Men, an LGBTQ -themed story. Malaysian director Lau Kok Rui, from BIFF's 2022 Asian Film Academy, is presenting Wake Me Up When the Mourning Ends, with producers Soi Cheang, Stefano Centini, and Wong Kew Soon. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The Asian Project Market (APM) will run from September 20-23 during the 20th edition of the Asian Contents & Film Market at BEXCO. With added inputs from agencies
Malaysia Sun
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Malaysia Sun
Alia Bhatt-backed film 'Difficult Daughters' selected for Asian Project Market at BIFF
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], July 21 (ANI): Alia Bhatt's upcoming production 'Difficult Daughters' has been selected as one of the 30 projects for the Asian Project Market (APM) at this year's Busan International Film Festival (BIFF), reported Deadline. The film is directed by Soni Razdan and produced by Alia Bhatt, her sister Shaheen Bhatt, and indie film producer Alan McAlex, known for his work on 'Santosh.' 'Difficult Daughters' is among a select group of projects from across Asia that will be showcased at APM, where filmmakers connect with international investors and co-producers. According to Deadline, another Indian project in the line-up is 'The Last of Them Plagues,' directed by Kunjila Mascillamani and produced by actress Kani Kusruti and 'All We Imagine As Light' director Payal Kapadia. Kusruti served as a jury member for BIFF's New Currents section last year. Other entries include 'Moon' by Indian director Pradip Kurbah, who previously won BIFF's Jiseok Award in 2019. Bangladeshi filmmaker Biplob Sarkar returns to BIFF with 'The Magical Men,' an LGBTQ+-themed story. Malaysian director Lau Kok Rui, from BIFF's 2022 Asian Film Academy, is presenting 'Wake Me Up When the Mourning Ends,' with producers Soi Cheang, Stefano Centini, and Wong Kew Soon. The Asian Project Market (APM) will run from September 20-23 during the 20th edition of the Asian Contents & Film Market at BEXCO. Alia Bhatt was last seen in 'Jigra,' directed by Vasan Bala. She both starred in and produced the film, which followed a sister's mission to save her brother from prison. She will next appear in 'Alpha,' part of Yash Raj Films' spy universe, which is set for release on December 25. She is also working on 'Love and War,' co-starring husband Ranbir Kapoor and Vicky Kaushal, and directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali. (ANI)
