The Asian Filmmaker of the Year
This award is granted annually to the Asian filmmaker who has made the most significant contribution to the advancement of the Asian film industry and culture throughout the year. This year's award recipient is the ever beloved 'Big Brother' Chow Yun Fat, who enchanted the world with his charismatic performances in numerous masterpieces including A Better Tomorrow (1986), An Autumn's Tale (1987), The Killer (1989), and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000).
CHOW Yun Fat
Actor | Hong Kong, China
Chow Yun Fat led the golden era of Hong Kong cinema and cemented his position as the key player of "Hong Kong Film Noir" when it manifested as a global film genre. Chow's versatile talent knows no bounds, encompassing from action to melodrama and comedy and historical drama, and subsequently established him as the most sought-after actor in Asia. Since his debut in 1976, he has appeared in approximately 100 films, to name a few, The Story of Woo Viet (1981), A Better Tomorrow (1986), An Autumn’s Tale (1987), All About Ah-Long (1988), The Killer (1989), God of Gamblers (1989), Once A Thief (1991), Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000), Curse of the Golden Flower (2006), Let The Bullets Fly (2010), Project Gutenberg (2018), and One More Chance (2023).
Korean Cinema Award
The Korean Cinema Award is presented to cineastes that have made a notable contribution in the globalization of Korean cinema. This year, the award will be given to the late actress Yun Jung-hee, who created three-dimensional characters in each project with her authentic performance, and contributed to heightening the value of Korean films. Yun Jung-hee is an actress who represents Korean cinema. She debuted in the 1960’s and was the first actress troika, along with Moon Hee and Nam Jeong-im. Yun made her debut with Sorrowful Youth (1966), directed by Kang Dae-jin, and reached the pinnacle of her career by working with iconic Korean directors of the time such as Yu Hyun-mok, Kim Soo-yong, Shin Sangok, and more.
YUN Jung-hee
Actor | Korea
The late actress Yun Jung-hee debuted with Sorrowful Youth (1966), directed by Kang Dae-jin, and led the golden era of Korean cinema in the 1960’s. Working as an actress for 50 years, Yun starred in approximately 300 titles including Mist (1967), The General's Mustache (1968), Night Journey (1977), Manmubang (1994), and Poetry (2010). Yun also won 29 Best Actress Awards at film festivals in Korea and around the world. Yun was the first Korean actress to serve as a jury member at the 1995 Montreal World Film Festival. In 2010, she received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Cairo International Film Festival and became the first Korean actress to become the runner-up for Best Actress at the 2011 National Society of Film Critics Awards. She also received the Chevalier dans l'ordre des Arts et Lettres, the order of honor, from the French Ministry.
New Currents Award
The New Currents Award is given to the two best feature films selected from the first or second feature of new Asian directors introduced in the New Currents section (a competitive section of BIFF for Asian films). A grand prize of USD 30,000 is awarded to each film. The jury consists of world-renowned film experts who will choose winners to discover and encourage the hidden jewels of Asian cinema.
KIM Jiseok Award
The KIM Jiseok Award, Established in 2017, is to remember and honor the late KIM Jiseok who devoted his whole life to discovering and supporting the growth of Asian cinema. The award is given to the films in the competition category for the Korean and Asian directors who has directed more than 3 feature films, and two best films are selected and awarded a cash prize of USD 10,000 each sponsored by BIFF Supporters Associaton.
BIFF Mecenat Award
The BIFF Mecenat Award is granted to the best documentary from Korea and Asia in Wide Angle competition section. The winner will be granted KRW 10,000,000 (approx. USD 7,600) with the purpose of assisting their next production.
Sonje Award
The Sonje Award is given to the best Korean and Asian short films in the Wide Angle section, to assist them in producing the next project by providing KRW 10,000,000 (approx. USD 7,600) to each director.
Sonje Award Special Mention
Actor of the Year
The Actor of the Year is the award to focus on the newcomer in the independent Korean films among the New Currents and Korean Cinema Today - Vision section. The renowned Korean actor and actress select one actor and one actress with outstanding performance. The winners will be awarded at the closing ceremony with a cash prize of KRW 5,000,000 (approx. USD 3,800) each.
JANG Sung-bum
Work to Do | Korea
Jury Comment
The profound comprehension of the work, insightful character analysis, and subtle performance left a lasting impression. For an actor's performance to truly stand out, it is crucial to grasp both direction and the script thoroughly. What intrigued us was how the actor effortlessly conveyed the director's intentions through the emotional journey of a character. It was a meaningful piece that prompted contemplation on the systems within our society.
OH Minae
Concerning My Daughter | Korea
Jury Comment
Oh Minae well expressed the subtle emotions and changes in the conflicts of the character through a delicate and passionate performance. As she is someone who has been acting diligently for a long time, we hope many people will get to know the actor Oh Min-ae even more.
The Choon-yun Award
The Choon-yun Award was established in honor of the late Chairman of the Korean Association of Film Art & Industry, Lee Choon-yun. This award is given to one newly emerging producer with a cash prize of 10,000,000 KRW, sponsored by IOK Company. This year’s winner of the Choon-yun Award is Kim Ji-yeon, the producer of Next Sohee (2022) and Punch-Drunk Love (2022).
KIM Ji-yeon
Producer, CEO of Crankup Film | Korea
Producer Kim Ji-yeon has participated in the production of National Security (2012), A Girl at My Door (2014), and Punch-Drunk Love (2022). Through such works, she established a distinct creative style as a producer. A Girl at My Door (2014) was invited to Un Certain Regard of the 67th Cannes Film Festival and Next Sohee (2022) was selected as the closing film at the 75th Cannes Film Festival Critics' Week, drawn attention from the world. Her filmography demonstrates that she is a filmmaker who has made significant contributions to Korean cinema through her bold and experimental endeavors, as well as a producer with unwavering conviction.
KB New Currents Audience Award
This award is given to the film that is most highly rated by festival audiences from the New Currents section. Sponsored by KB Kookmin Bank, KRW 20,000,000 (approx. USD 15,000) is awarded to the director.
Flash Forward Audience Award
This award is given to the film that is most highly rated by festival audiences from the Flash Forward section. Sponsored by BIFF Supporters Association, KRW 10,000,000 (approx. USD 7,600) is awarded to the director.
FIPRESCI Award
This award is given to well-made works that reflect its experimental and progressive spirit, among those presented in the New Currents section.
NETPAC Award
The NETPAC Award is given to the best film selected by the NETPAC jury among the films screened in the New Currents section. NETPAC is an international organization founded in 1990 devoted to the expansion of Asian film distribution and screening.
LG OLED New Currents Award
The LG OLED New Currents Award is given to an Asian feature film in the New Currents section, that demonstrates an innovation in visual aesthetics. The award recipient will be chosen by the New Currents jurors, and will be granted prizes sponsored by LG OLED including KRW 30,000,000 (approx. USD 22,500) cash award.
LG OLED Vision Award
The LG OLED Vision Award is given to one Korean film in the Korean Cinema Today - Vision and New Currents section, that demonstrates an innovation in visual aesthetics. The award recipient will be granted prizes sponsored by LG OLED including KRW 30,000,000 (approx. USD 22,500) cash award.
DGK PLUS M Award
The DGK PLUS M Award goes to two Korean films from the Korean Cinema Today - Vision section. Each winner will be granted KRW 5,000,000 (approx. USD 3,800). This cash prize is sponsored by Directors Guild of Korea and PLUS M.
CGV Award
This award was newly created in 2011 in collaboration with CJ CGV to shed new light on the Korean Cinema Today - Vision section. The winner will receive a cash prize of KRW 10,000,000 (approx. USD 7,600) sponsored by CJ CGV.
KBS Independent Film Award
The KBS Independent Film Award is given to support Korean independent films. One Korean film will be selected among Korean Cinema Today - Vision and New Currents section to receive KRW 10,000,000 (approx. USD 7,600). This cash prize is sponsored by KBS.
CGK Award
The CGK Award, sponsored by Cinematographers Guild of Korea, is given to one Korean film from either New Currents or Korean Cinema Today - Vision section. The winner’s cinematographer will be granted KRW 5,000,000 (approx. USD 3,800).
CGK Award Special Mention
Critic b Award
Critic b Award is given to one film chosen by Busan Film Critics Association among the selections in the New Currents and the Korean Cinema Today - Vision section. The winner will receive KRW 10,000,000 (approx. USD 7,600).
Aurora Media Award
This award is established to support new directors in Korean cinema. Two Korean films chosen from the New Currents and the Korean Cinema Today - Vision section will be given a cash prize of KRW 10,000,000 (approx. USD 7,600) respectively. This cash prize is sponsored by Aurora Media.
Watcha Short Award
This award is established to support short film directors in Korean cinema. Two short films chosen from Wide Angle - Korean Short Competition section will be given a cash prize of KRW 5,000,000 (approx. USD 3,800). This cash prize is sponsored by Watcha.
Citizen Critics' Award
Citizen critics from the Busan Cinematheque choose the best film from those screened in Korean Cinema Today - Vision section. The winner is awarded KRW 10,000,000 (approx. USD 7,600) for supporting the director’s next production.
Busan Cinephile Award
This award is given to the best Korean and Asian documentary film presented in the Wide Angle documentary showcase section. The winner is awarded KRW 5,000,000 (approx. USD 3,800). The jury of college students, including numerous students from the cinema-related departments of six universities in Busan region, select the winner.