The 29th Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) lowered its curtain at the Busan Cinema Center after a ten-day celebration of Asian and world cinema that drew 145,238 spectators and achieved an 84 percent seat occupancy rate—up both in total admissions and theater fullness from last year's edition. Featuring 224 official selection films from 63 countries alongside 54 Community BIFF screenings, Asia's largest film festival reaffirmed its vitality despite domestic funding reductions.
During the closing awards announcements, the New Currents jury—headed by Iranian auteur Mohammad Rasoulof—bestowed the festival's flagship prize for first- or second-time Asian directors on two features: South Korean filmmaker Park Ri-woong's The Land of Morning Calm and Myanmar director The Maw Naing's MA - Cry of Silence. Each winner receives a $30,000 cash grant.
New Currents Triumphs for South Korea and Myanmar
Park Ri-woong, who previously gained acclaim for his 2020 debut The Girl on a Bulldozer, swept three honors in Busan with The Land of Morning Calm. Depicting an aging fisherman and a young seafarer who stage a disappearance in a stagnating coastal village, the film also captured the KB New Currents Audience Award and the NETPAC Award.
Co-winner MA - Cry of Silence chronicles young women garment workers in Yangon who organize a hazardous labor strike amid Myanmar's political turmoil, earning praise from Rasoulof's jury for its stark emotional urgency. In the Kim Jiseok section, top prizes went to Taiwanese director Tom Lin Shu-yu's Yen and Ai-Lee and Rima Das's Village Rockstars 2.
“Achieving an 84 percent seat occupancy rate and welcoming over 145,000 spectators proves the enduring passion for Asian cinema and independent storytelling in Busan.” — Park Kwang-su, Chairperson of the Busan International Film Festival
Strong Box Office Recovery Ahead of 30th Anniversary Overhaul
Meanwhile, the parallel Asian Contents & Film Market (ACFM) recorded 2,644 industry badge holders from 52 countries—an increase of more than 20 percent over 2023—and hosted 275 sales booths. The festival concluded Friday evening with the world premiere screening of Singaporean director Eric Khoo's supernatural drama Spirit World, starring French screen legend Catherine Deneuve.
Looking ahead to its landmark 30th anniversary in September 2025, chairperson Park Kwang-su confirmed that BIFF will transition from a non-competitive festival into a competitive event featuring a newly established flagship Asian competition section.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which films won the New Currents Award at the 29th Busan International Film Festival?
The flagship New Currents Award was shared by South Korean filmmaker Park Ri-woong's coastal drama The Land of Morning Calm and Myanmar director The Maw Naing's factory strike drama MA - Cry of Silence.
How many spectators attended the 2024 Busan International Film Festival?
A total of 145,238 theatergoers attended screenings during the ten-day festival, generating an 84 percent seat occupancy rate across 224 official selection titles.
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